[darkside05]

Well I actually just got an offer from some of my friends to go to a Medieval fest held in north Alabama sometime within the next few months. I was just curious if any of you guys have ever been to one these and if you have what all usually goes on. All my friend Russell told me about was the fencing and jousting events they had but I never got to find out what its really like. Possibly some heads up on what to expect would be good and enlightening. I'm sure it'll be a great time no matter what. But anyways thats it for now.

[Hengest]

This is like a family event? If it's the kind of thing I'm thinking of, then I've been to a couple, but in the UK.

You get to see some pretty cool jousting, but most of the hand-to-hand is pretty slow, stage-fighting type stuff. That said, I went to one where there were two guys giving a longsword demonstration who were actually pretty accomplished.

[zefff]

Ive been to a couple at castle grounds in England where you have all the various crafts including Falconry which is awesome to watch. The last one I went to was great with the main event being a battle re-enactment with hundreds of nutters in full get up running about bashing each other. You get some guys who are out of shape and just do it for fun but if you pick out the fitter guys and keep an eye on them you might find some who actually practice technique really love to put on a show. It can be a fun summer day out especially if you are not driving

I actually used to train Arnis with a guy who did re-enactments and he was actually very good with axe, long sword and broad sword.

[dscott]

They're not bad. Pretty interesting....but be prepared for some weird people. There are people (that aren't part of the show) that will dress up and "act the part".

[The BadBoy]

went to one about a month ago here in scotland to celebrate the crowning of Robert the Bruce. Had a great time. the demonstration was a bit stage fighting but the falconry was fantastic. Really cools stuff at the handcraft stalls to. Got to see a reenactment of the crowning which was pretty interesting.

[Tease T Tickle]

They have one about an hour away from me every year around this time. I've never really enjoyed it. Even the beer was bad.

[bamboo]

I went to one in spain. First time I ever got drunk. I was 15, hit on the tour guide and embarrassed my parents...ahhh, good times!

-bamboo

[zefff]

Originally Posted by Tease T Tickle

Even the beer was bad.

If the beer's bad it aint worth going!

[Tease T Tickle]

That's what I said, Zefff. I got dragged to that damn fair three years ago and I haven't gone since even when I've been invited by friends because I would not be able to stand that much geekiness sober.

For anyone who's keen on details, I (at age 22) mentioned hating the beer at a festival three years ago (when I would have been 19) and the legal drinking age in America is 21. This means that even geeks who like dressing up in fake armor and speaking poorly-executed Chaucer-era English break the law from time to time. Everyone, it seems, is a rebel.