Monday, June 22, 2015

Summer and Medieval Festivals, Part 2; Mutton and Mead


As you remember my last post dealt with the New York Capitol Renaissance Festival, this past weekend, I visited the Mutton and Mead Festival in Montague, MA.  Attending these types of festivals has given me a chance to promote my novel, "Legend of the Mystic Knights".
I had never visited this festival before, and I had to rile on my old GPS to get me there.  The way there took me one way, while it navigated a different way when I returned.  Either way I had a spectacular view, for on the way there I went through woods and next to rivers and lakes and was lucky enough to have a bald eagle fly over the car.
On the way back, my GPS had me travel over the Hoosac Range, which is a part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. It was near Whitcomb Summit that I saw the most spectacular view over a valley I have ever seen in my life. I am planning a trip back to that area, just to go sightseeing.
Now back to the Mutton and Mead Festival.  This yearly event is not put on as a faire to entertain people, it benefits local causes.  It hosts a food drive for The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and alos raised money for the Montague Common Hall.
I noticed when I first got the fair that the parking was set in a large field, and it was completely full. Having this many people at a two-day medieval festival is rather impressive, and I soon found out why.


As many of you know, I have attended numerous types of medieval and renaissance festivals in recent years. Without any reservation, I can say this was the most fun I have ever had at one of these types of events. I was totally impressed with how this festival was run, and the entertainment, and vendors at this show.

The following are performers, or demonstrators and vendors, at this faire which deserve mention:

The Brotherhood of Arrows and Swords- This is a group which dedicates themselves in the living aspect of medieval history. They do demonstrations to educate the public about this era in history.  I was privileged enough to see one of their demonstrations, and they are very informative and educational. You can find more about them on Facebook.

CIRQUE DU SEWER- Is one of the funniest and entertaining shows I have ever seen. Melissa Arleth is the performer of this show, along with her trained RATS. As she stated in this show, “Her rats are probably the most accurate part of a renaissance faire.”


If you have ever get a chance to see her show, you will be impressed with her comedy, agility and flexibility, along with how talented and smart her rodents are.

I was lucky enough to get some pretty good leather at the faire, at a very reasonable price from Tandy Leather.
The vendors for them were Theodore Hinman and Armene Margosian.  The leather I purchased will be used by me to create one of my new wrestling costumes, maybe even something I could wear at these medieval faires.
The Mutton and Mead Festival is very impressive, and the promoters of this faire should be proud of what they have accomplished.  This festival has a large following and attendance, great vendors and performers; the patrons of this event should extend this faire to more than one weekend a year. With some planning and a couple extra of weekends, this faire could rival those that run all summer long.

16 comments:

  1. I've only ever been to one renaissance fair and there aren't many near where I live, so would not be able to compare one to the other. It would be interesting to see how different one can be from the other. It's nice to hear about one supporting local causes. I'd also be very interesting in hearing how you promote your book at these festivals and what that experience has been like for you.

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  2. This sounds like a particularly good one...and I do love that they couple a philanthropic agenda with the theme. Like Donna, I'd be curious if there is an opportunity for you here, of if you only go to learn and be entertained

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  3. Hi William, sounds like you had a great time - a well-run medieval faire is just the thing for you. How nice that you mentioned some of the entertainers and vendors. Did you have a booth set up to promote your book or did you share someone's.
    I haven't heard of a fair like that around here but if I did, I think I would be tempted to go. Sounds great.

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  4. Cirque du Sever sounds pretty good. Not sure if it is a local act or one that travels around. but I'll keep an eye out for it.

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  5. Sounds like you had a wonderful time William and what a wonderful venue to promote your book. I have to share that when I lived on the mainland I was a huge fan of these events and we regularly attended the Renaissance Faire in California. I haven't been in years but I hear it's still going strong.

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  6. I love that name: Mutton and Mead. The food at those festivals is great. The name of a comedy duo I saw at the NC fair I went to escapes me, but it was a great time all around. When I was in college, one of my professors had us do a potluck where we had to make authentic medieval recipes. It was a blast.

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  7. So, how was the grub? Did you sample the BBQ mutton? Did you drink mead or ale?

    I visited the Cirque du Sewer Web site, and watched the demo at the bottom of the home page - weird, huh? Almost as good is the photo gallery page, which features a large photo of Melissa sweetly kissing one of her rats.

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    1. I tried the BBQ pulled pork. I do not eat mutton, ever.
      Having to drive over 2 hours to get home, did not try the mead or ale either.
      Rates are mamals and show affection. Being tamed, they live a good lifestyle now, they get a bad rep from living in garbage and sewers.

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  8. Ken, Cirque Du Sewer is absolutely a travelling show and seen all over the country.

    William, I have a couple questions and comments for you. When you were visiting NY Capital District Renaissance Festival, why didn't you visit the Tandy tent there? And while on the subject... Why change the names of the vendors? Was it to protect the innocent? I assure you, we need no protection, nor are we innocent! LOL. Tim and Maureen were vending there, as we do in many shows, faires and festivals in NY, CT, MA and RI. Come visit us or stop in your local Tandy for your leather needs.

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    1. I did visit them at the Capitol Region Renaissance Festival, but I did not purchase anything.
      As for the name, I got their business card, and copied it. I would of liked to put their local website on there, but none listed.
      I also remember hearing there was going to be a location change for the shop.

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    2. I, sir was the one in the booth at both locations, along with my boss, Maureen. the website is www.tandyleather.com and we just moved to Berlin, CT. I am glad you are happy with your leather and look forward to seeing your projects next year at faire!

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    3. The names I put up, were the names of the card, that was given to me? Sorry if there was a confusion, give me the info and I will change it.

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  9. Sounds like a very nice event. I know the shows were very good.

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  10. I think Renaissance fairs are so interesting. Have to love that Mead wine. I used to go them when I lived in California where the Mead wine is produced in the Napa Valley. I have to say I have never seen anyone kissing rats. You brought back a memory as I have not heard of Tandy leather in years

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  11. hi william; thanks for taking us along. i am realizing that my education in the entertainment world is sadly lacking that i have only been to one of these types of events and that was over 30 years ago. amazing that you not only saw such great scenery but weren't in too big of a hurry to notice it. looking forward to your next destination, max ps did you get any book promoting done? ;)

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    1. Funny you ask that. My next blog post is going to deal with this. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.

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