You’ll get a kick out of this

Go on a Renaissance mission to Toledo’s Glastonbury Faire

By Gretchen Ammerman

Oregon Coast TODAY

Photos by Douglas Herring Photography

Get acquainted with some of the more positive parts of the Renaissance era when the Glastonbury Faire brings sword fighting, corsets-clad bosoms and vendors selling period-appropriate wares back to Toledo’s Waterfront Park this Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25.

The event features Ye Merry Greenwood Players, who teach through living history.

“When these types of groups do a fair, they are trying to be as accurate to the time as possible,” said Carol Susa, assistant director of the fair. “But there’s actually some improvement over the actual time period, as even the nobles weren’t very cleanly and the castles didn’t smell as good as you would like to think.”

Rousing entertainment will be provided by the clashing swords and well-timed kicks of the Seattle Knights, the “Pacific Northwest's premiere sword fighting and jousting theatrical troupe.”

With high-octane choreographed stage combat using real weapons, the Seattle Knights seek to bring out the best of Medieval history and fantasy. They also occasionally appear at events in their alternate personas, the Pirates of Puget Sound, and offer combat and jousting classes.

“The knights are amazing and really help create the feeling of the time, especially with the sounds of the swords clanging together,” Susa said. “We will also have jugglers and performers doing skits and plays throughout the day.”

One of those performers, thrown in at the last minute, will be Adria the Blind Knife Juggler.

“She has quite a show,” Susa said. “We got lucky because another thing she had scheduled got canceled. She does a lot of audience interaction and is a lot of fun to watch.”

Other performers include Mystic Marlow the Magician, the Sherwood Renaissance Singers, Zoupa de Zonia Comedy, Organized Chaos Fairy Tales and Bill Barr, Juggler to the Queen.

Something special this year will be two Masses: one pre-1530 Latin Mass in the morning, followed in the afternoon by a 1536 Church of England Mass from the period when Henry VIII was head of the church.

“Entry is free for the first Mass of the day,” Susa said. “Afterwards you can stay for as long as you want without having to buy a ticket.”

Meanwhile the new “Wish Wagon” is just for kids.

“It will fill in the time between the knights’ sets,” Susa said. “Kids get to make a wish and then they will get a little something.”

The many and varied vendors that will be set up both days of the event are also held to a certain standard.

“We have vendors that are really on-spot historically,” Susa said. “But you can only ask so much. We just try to have fun with it.’”

Sustenance will be provided by popular historical fair favorite, Ali Baba’s Tribal Treats.

“They will have turkey legs, meat pies, fish and chips and ice cream,” Susa said. “We will also have specialty teas, crepes and, hopefully, fudge from Stargazers Gourmet."

Participating players will be descending from many areas and are eager to be getting back to anachronistic antics.

“We have way more acts this year,” Susa said. “We are growing fast.”

The Glastonbury Faire will be held from 10 am to 5 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, with the special morning Mass beginning at 9 am. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and children aged five to 12 and free for children younger than five. Toledo’s Waterfront Park is located at 151 NW A Street. For more information, go to yemerriegreenwoodfaire.org.