Silver Kingdom Renaissance Festival and the Saratoga Springs International Film Festival

First, I would like to talk about the Saratoga Springs International Film Festival.

The festival will be held on September 17, there are numerous venues at different locations throughout the area; these locations will include showing of the movies, plus panel discussions and exhibitors.

The lineup for the film festival will showcase many independent films from around the world.  I encourage everyone to attend this film festival; it will be one of the best you have ever seen.

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Silver Kingdom Renaissance Festival

I attended the Silver Kingdom Renaissance Festival held in Charlton, Ma., which is approximately one hour from Boston, Ma. The fair itself is located at the “Ye Olde Commons",  which is a facility dedicated to providing a camp site with a medieval flair.  The site is used for many different gatherings, including LARP (live action role playing) camps, re-enactments, receptions, and of course medieval fairs.

As with many fairs there were numerous events, performers, merchants, and people attending it who like the medieval world.  The following is a partial list of those I visited or saw; I would recommend you go to the faires website to view a complete list of performers and merchants.

Leon the Blacksmith working at his trade

Tandy Leather- Many of you, who have read my blog, will remember this particular merchant.  I have seen them at the Market of the Moons Renaissance Festival and the Mutton and Meade Festival in the past.  This particular Tandy Leather store is located at 119 Webster Square Road, Berlin, CT 06037 .  I have worked with leather, most recently completed by armor, and from my experience finding leather products and tools, can be a very difficult task.  If you want to work with leather, or other animal hide, you must look up Tandy Leather.

Tandy Leather Tent

L.I.A.R.S (Ladies of Integrity, Aristocracy, Repute, & Society)- I saw this group at the dining hall. This group was formed in 2012; it consists of 2-5 ladies who sing period songs and entertain the audience. Their talent in singing is only matched by their wit and humor.  

 L.I.A.R.S.

Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword- You will all remember this group from my previous blogs. Any time I attend a fair where they are, I make sure I attend their demonstrations.

Encampment of the Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword

As with all of their other demonstrations I have viewed in the past, I learned something new. If you are ever at a medieval/renaissance fair or event, and they are there, make sure you attend one of their demonstrations. If you are the promoter or organizer of such a fair or event; make sure you contact them to see if they can become part of yours, you will not regret it.

Demonstration by the Brotherhood

Competition between the English Longbow and the Crossbow.

The Grinning Dwarf – I first saw this merchant at the Marketof the Moons Renaissance Fair.  They sell wonderful period clothing and other articles.  Visit them on their site.     

 The Grinning Dwarf Tent

Granny Grue Gleeful Tales – Granny Grue the vegetarian zombie, the creation of artist Glee Violette, entertains the entire family with stories and song. Her performance is funny, not scary.

Granny Grue entertaining an audience

Primrose Pirates -This group will entertain the entire family.  During the day, they engaged children in “Pummel-a-Pirate” using boffer swords. They later did a demonstration of the weapons used not only by pirates, but also by sailors. Their presentation about black powdered weapons was very informative and enjoyable to watch.

Primrose Pirates showing different black powder weapons

The Silver Kingdom Renaissance festival was very enjoyable; it included food, entertainment and merchants.  It is a smaller faire, but they have the proper attitude to present an enjoyable time for the entire family.  I will attend this faire in the future, and hope that they continue to grow each year.

I recently discovered this blog post about RenaissancePerformers and Merchants. It is worth taking a look at to discover more information about the people I have mentioned in my post previously, such as Steadfast Steel, Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword, or Alice and Her Puppet Friends, but it also includes ones I have not seen.

Next Week:  A very LARGE Renaissance Fair and more updates about the film festival.

W.A. Rusho is a professional wrestler, historian, 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.