Fairfield’s first Renaissance Faire cut short due to weather

FAIRFIELD — Saturday, a gentle breeze and sunshine gave a short opportunity for the first ever Fairfield Renaissance Faire to transport guests to a fairy-tale land filled with lords, ladies, mermaids, archers, and other fantastical characters at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds before weather cut the event short.

"We had a great day at the Ren Faire yesterday,“ Event organizer Claudia Mast said. ”Unfortunately the winds mixed in with the cold shut us down.“

The fair closed an hour early Saturday and did not open Sunday, but many enjoyed the day, nonetheless.

Bagpipe music danced along the breeze as a crowd began to fill the fair, Tara Arreola, known as Ivy Mossysprings at Renaissance fairs, welcomed them with smiles and magic.

“I gave away all my fairy dust, mushrooms, and flowers,” the woodland fairy said. “Next year I’ll have to make more than 100 mushrooms!”

“For a very first fair this is a great turn out,” Mossysprings said. “We need more food and entertainment for next year, but it is great fair.”

Some of the vendors included face painting, flower crowns, shields, belly dancing wraps, and other fantastical merchandise.

A very happy 2-year-old Cedric Giberson expressed much excitement as he babbled about a crab he saw in one of the shops.

As many walked around with turkey legs and mini donuts, they enjoyed watching duels between knights, the blacksmith working, and a mermaid perched on the side of a swimming pool.

The small 3-year-old princess Aya Ochirgarid, from Fairfield, loved seeing a princess which reminded her of Snow White while little Caroline Giberson couldn’t wait to see the mermaid.

“A true Irishman is running archery and spear throwing across from the knights,” event organizer Claudia Mast said.

Maharishi International University student Nyla Jefferson enjoyed a brief archery lesson from Charles Baker.

“The purpose of the anchor is to hold steady,” Baker gently coached Jefferson as she pulled her bow string taunt.

While she did not hit target frequently, Jefferson expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

“This is something I really wanted to learn how to do,” she said. “This is my first opportunity.”

According to Jefferson, Baker teaches archery lessons regularly at 2 p.m., Sundays, at MIU.

“The archer lesson was really cool,” she said. “He is very gentle with his instructions … he is very humble.”

Guests also enjoyed several Renaissance-themed yard and tabletop games thanks to the traveling troupe Stulto Mori.

Troupe member John Gill warmly greeted people as they neared their game encampment and invited them to play chess, cards, and Alquerqu, similar to checkers or chess.

Just outside the encampment families and groups helped themselves to yard games like Quoits, similar to horseshoes, and Paille Maille, similar to croquet, and Kubb.

According to Gill, Kubb is “a Viking game where you throw things at other things.”

The whimsy continued with belly dancing lessons and laughter as music filled the air for a short, but successful first year of Renaissance Faire in Fairfield.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com