The fifth Gumeracha Medieval Fair was certainly another successful weekend for the Community Management Committee that is responsible for the organisation of the annual event. The weather was cooler this year, with some light rain showers but the "Scottish mist" didn't dampen anyone's spirits, in fact many commented that it added to the medieval atmosphere of the event.
This year, Njarrindjeri Elder, Major Sumner performed his traditional welcome to country and smoking ceremony durring the fair opening ceremony.
The Management Committee offer their thanks to the local volunteers and contractors who worked very hard to "set-up" the site on the Friday before the Fair and "take-down" on the Monday after. This has become an exciting annual event which benefits the whole of the Gumeracha and Torrens Valley district.
This year the 5-member medieval music ensemble called Harlequin came to perform on both days of the Fair as well as at the Medieval Feast on Saturday night. Led by instrument-maker Harry Wass, the group is one of the few groups in Australia who play the music on instruments of the era. People coming to the Fair were able to hear the sounds of the Hurdy-Gurdy, Symphony, Vielle, Citole, Shawm, Whistle and Gemshorn, as well as the drums. The group was a highlight of the Fair and gave 2 concerts each day as well as Workshops on the history & construction of medieval stringed instruments.
The Town Hall was alive with medieval feasting and entertainment on the Saturday night. Sean Bradshaw from H.Q. Cuisine again served the merry throng with a delicious menu of roasted vegetables, Venison and Beef sirloin cooked with an Egerdouce sauce, followed by a rich Fruit Pudding. Harpist, Siobhan played and sang as people gathered for the gathering and Harlequin stirred us up to hand clapping and foot stomping during the evening.
And….the King’s Horses Medieval Equestrian Society from Ballarat came again to bring their Jousting and Skill at Arms displays as well as their “living history” encampment. This continues to be one of the favourite events at the Fair and attracts hundreds of excited spectators each time.
The local musicians and entertainers from across the state were quite diverse this year. The Saffron Tribal Bellydancers and their musicians from Zebulon entertained people in the Middle Eastern area, as well as musicians from Silk Road. The Celticklish trio and the Eric McBunny Band came and played and Tony Gill's fast whistle playing was perfect for the young Gawler Irish dancers. Other treats for the crowd came from "Josh the Juggler", talented young harpist Siobhan Owen and the Aoede Acapella Singers. Regulars, the trio from "Schroedinger's Cat", were very popular as well.
Further enhancing the scene in the “Merchants Lane” were traders offering a wide range of medieval-style crafts and activities, many of whom travel from interstate to come to the Fair. The dedicated children’s area where Storytellers, a children’s Costume-maker, as well as the Animal Nursery and the popular Punch and Judy show brought the children together to enjoy it all.
The daily Medieval Costume Competition experienced such a large volume of entries that it ran over-time both days. Many thanks to Amanda, Jill, Vicki and the Event Management students from Mt. Barker TAFE College and Valentine's Costumes Plus for their help in the success of the event.
Again, this year we had two arenas: in the central Combat Arena Knights and Vikings from local Medieval Re-enactment Groups demonstrated their "skill at arms" from both the European and Viking eras. They clashed swords looking to impress the beautiful medieval maidens. Saracens and sensuous dancers of the Blue Company contrasted with the fast and furious Border Celts with their sturdy hawthorn sticks as well as the broadswords of the Ghille Mhor dancers.
In the "Castle Gate" arena, past the Tavern, the Fair Players put on an exciting short play about the return of The Wayward Son, and the peasant Archer told stories of his prowess in the King's Army. The young Irish Dancers entertained the crowds and Harry Wass from "Harlequin" attracted many interested patrons to listen to him describe how he constructs the medieval musical instruments. The nearby encampment of the Society of Creative Anachronism also attracted many to their display of accoutrements and music.
Across Kenton Creek in the Medieval Artisan's Village visitors found Andy, the village blacksmith, hard at work in the “smithy”. The village also held the encampments of the local Re-enactment Groups of the New Varangian Guard (both the Handakas and Ladoga garrisons), the Blue Company, the Border Celts and the Medieval Archers. The village encapsulates what life was like in medieval times. The Spinners, Calligraphers, Costumiers, Herbalist, Cooper and several woodworkers work plying their trade. Past the village, patrons found the Medieval Archery ground where they experienced demonstrations with the famous English longbow. The Viking encampment will be particularly interesting, showing the visitors their techniques of campfire cooking and "Chips", the Viking trader from Dublin, demonstrates the techniques of shoemaking as well as metal casting of his jewellery goods.
The Food purveyors also follow the medieval theme with sumptuous tastes and aromas to tempt the passer-by, especially the "Sword and Ox" where spit roast venison, lamb and pork provide delicious fare for everyone. Food for the Soul has a variety of Vegetarian food and the Tavern is an area with a focus on the foods and beverages derived in the local Torrens Valley area with Wendy and David Cook of the Birdwood Wine & Cheese Centre. The famous “Mien Hosts” from the Lobethal Bierhaus were "on tap" serving their award winning beers.
All in all, the Fair has been judged another great success, and both the Management Committee and the local community are busy making preparations for the next one, on the 5th and 6th of May 2012. See you there!
Gumeracha Medieval Fair -
Next on 5, 6th May 2012 Federation Park, Main Rd Gumeracha South Australia.
For those Interested, a copy of our 2010 Annual Report is available here |
