Monday, June 20, 2016

Mutton and Mead Festival: One of the Best



This weekend I traveled to Montague, Massachusetts for the Mutton & Mead Festival. To be up front and to show my bias, I may have been to larger, or more historical accurate medieval/renaissance festivals, but this has turned out to be one, if not, my favorite.

I am unsure why this is, perhaps, because it is a local festival, and conducted on one weekend, and so I am impressed by the size of it.  Perhaps, it is because of the uniqueness of the acts and entertainment which is presented there, or maybe the education. For whatever reason, I do enjoy this faire very much.

The drive there and back is very spectacular. Coming from the Albany, NY area, you must drive over or near mountains such as Sugarloaf and Toby, and also along the banks of the Connecticut River. The drive alone is impressive enough to leave you a conservationist when you are done.

The Mutton & Mead Festivalwith the help of sponsors it is a community driven organization. It also works to raise money for Community Action The Northampton Survival Center,  the Montague Common Hall, and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

As you walk up the road to the entrance to the fair, there are banners on the trees with dates of significant events, such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence or the death of Shakespeare. Further back in time each poster takes you, until you reach the year of 1210, which is the date designated for the fair.

The fairgrounds consisted of more than one field with tents scattered around. There is a Gypsy Glen where you can be entertained by music and shows. There is also the Children’s Glen, which has games and activities for the younger audience members.
One of the creatures wondering around the Enchanted Sherwood Forest


There is part of the Mutton and Mead Festival which is secluded from the rest and called the Enchanted Sherwood Forest. This forest is populated with fairies and other mythical creatures. These fairy-tale beings are performed by the group ROOTED REALMS. 

The entertainment and demonstrations that, as with last year, was more than enjoyable and educational; these included fire jugglers, jesters, and traditional medieval musicians. There were merchants of jewelry, food, armor, trinkets, leather products and all things medieval.

The following is a partial list of the artists, reenactors, or vendors I visited.
Melissa showing one of her "co-workers" to a young fan.


First, I must mention CIRQUE DU SEWER-The Acro-bat with Acro-rats. Melissa Arleth is a very talented acrobat and performer by herself, combine that with rats that do astonishing feats, and you have one amazing show. She also has included, as she calls it, “the world’s most confused cat”. This performer travels around the country with her rodent friends, so if you see her listed somewhere, make sure to attend her performance.

 Some of the lovely ladies of the Vixens En Garde


Vixens En Garde-I mentioned in my last blog I saw them for the first time at the New York Capital District Renaissance Festival. As I mentioned in that blog, this is a very entertaining show which includes fighting performances, jokes and audience participation. Their show includes Shakespeare mixed with modern puns and even references “The Game of Thrones”.  This is a show that should not be missed.

Tatterdemalion- Another vendor who I first saw at the New York Capital District Renaissance Festival. Again, this skilled seamstress only sells her wonderful products at these types of faires. She makes excellent period clothing at a very reasonable price.

The Brotherhood of Arrow and Sword beginning their demonstration


The Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword- The most knowledgeable group of historians and reenactors I have seen. It is a pleasure to see their demonstrations about weapons, and to listen to them discussing the middle ages. I would encourage anyone, who might be near one of their presentations to take the time to visit them; you will not be disappointed and no matter your level of knowledge, you will learn something new.

Pikemen with his 16 foot pike


Landsknecht Guild- A group based in New England, with members from CT, NH, MA, ME, NY, and RI. They recreate an encampment consisting of the Landsknecht (who were legendary pikemen in the 1600’s) and also their wives and families.

As I did last year, I purchased some leather from Tandy Leather. Go to their website and find a store near you. At this event, the people were from Tandy Leather store located at 119 Webster Square Road, Berlin, CT 06037.

I also purchased a pouch from Made By Hand Leather. He sells his own hand made products and also those by a company called Etsy.

There are so many more groups and entertainers I would like to mention, but space is limited here. Go to the Mutton and Mead Festival website, and see more about them yourself by finding them on the web.

If you are scheduling on being in this area next year, make plans to come to this festival. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed. If you are an organizer who is planning on creating a new, or responsible for an existing medieval faire, take notice of this one to see how it is done right.




W.A. Rusho is a professional wrestler and author of the novel “Legend of the Mystic Knights”. The previous publisher of this novel is no longer in business, and so he is actively seeking a literary agent or publisher. If you wish to contact him, email him, or visit his website.


22 comments:

  1. William, these fairs sound like such good fun! I like reading about all the different and unique people you come across. I think I'd enjoy watching the acrobats. Such skills that I don't have!

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  2. So is there actual mutton to be feasted upon at this festival? Turkey legs were quite the treat at the one I went to in NC.

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    1. I do not know, probably. I either eat the turkey legs or pulled pork at these things.

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    2. Yes there was mutton. Mutton chops and bbq mutton.

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    3. Yes there is! Located right next to the mead vendor!

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  3. one oCan see why it's one of your favorites. Some pretty unique and creative entertainments. Can't say I've ever seen a rat performance.

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  4. wow, great costumes! People come super well prepared

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  5. I love the title of the featival. It's sounds like fun. Great picture. Thanks for sharing.

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  6. William, shame on you for not trying the mutton LOL. I am rather envious of your trips to all these fairs, sounds like such a great time.
    I'm not sure I would be greatly entertained by rats though although if she has a cat I can see where it would be confused.
    Small correction - Etsy is an online marketplace where MadebyHandLeather has his shop listed.

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    1. Yes you are correct, but at the fair he was also selling some of the products listed on other sites on Etsy.

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  7. Glad you are enjoying the festivals so much, William. This one seemed an odd one out but looking at the pictures it doesn't seem it was. Keep on having fun and shopping at festivals that appeal to you! Are you able to sell any books at the festivals? Maybe that would be a good idea?

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    1. I got into these fairs from handing out bookmarks of my novel (since it was an e-book), but now, since my publisher is defunct, I have no book to sell anymore.

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  8. Thank you for letting us know how much fun these festivals are for you! The photos are wonderful. It sounds like the vendors, you mentioned buying some leather pieces, might be getting to know you now!

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  9. I've never been to one of these festivals but have always been curious about them. As a history buff, I think it all sounds fascinating! Your vivid description really makes me want to check one of these out, I'm sure there are some happening nearby this summer. Thanks for the post!

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  10. Actor that you are, did you join Vixens En Garde onstage during the audience participation part of their show?

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    1. No, I might be an actor but I am also an introvert and shy.

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  11. Fascinating post, William. We've enjoyed the Renaissance Fest near Mnnpls more than once. Love the turkey legs and beer! I also learned much from the reenactors who visit our Viking Fair here in Manitoba (Canada) each year as part of the Gimli Icelandic Fest. It draws participants from as far away as the UK.

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  12. The Mutton & Meade Festival sounds like it was a good time. It is interesting how bigger doesn't always mean better. Small gems can be found in things that are local and smaller. So we shouldn't negate our local attractions. I live about an hour from DisneyLand and I really never go. I much prefer to see the local attractions and festivals North of where I live. Plus they are a lot cheaper.

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  13. William -- When my husband and I owned a log home in Petersburg, NY (just north of where Routes 2 and 22 intersect) we traveled to several outdoor fairs, but never got to this one. I looked at the Cirque Du Sewer site and all I can say is working with rats is not my idea of how to make a living. Ugh!

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  14. William, what a great experience for you, and thanks for sharing. :-) Your post brought back happy memories of my visit to Warwick Castle. Have you been? For anyone loving medieval fairs, I highly recommend visiting this intriguing place that originated in 1068 with William the Conqueror. The official website refers to "one thousand years of jaw-dropping history" with "great battles, ancient myths, spellbinding tales, pampered princesses, heroic knights ..." Indeed!

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  15. These fairs always look like so much fun, I can't help wonder about the people who participate. Do they do they travel around and work at different fairs, is this a part-time job, or a way to promote other things they do? You're so lucky to be able to see so many of these events William!

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    1. Some do go around to different faires. Many are actors, so these are a type of role for them. Many are craftsman, and so it is like a business. Others simply take the summer off and this is their vacation from their normal work.

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