The knights in shining armor got down and dirty first day of the Riverdale Kiwanis Medieval Faire, because jousting was at allowed do to property conditions. Click here to see photos of the event
Then, so did everyone else with peasants and a lot of others going barefoot in the mud.
Torrential rain Friday had organizers spreading mulch, wood chips and straw on pathways as the fair opened. Saturday’s sunshine was slow to dry up Lakes Regional Park, and left knights battling on foot out of concern for their horses.
“It’s a labor of love for all of us,” said organizer Sandy Wheeler. The fair is in its 21st year and organized by the 10 members of the Riverdale Kiwanis, benefiting local charities.
Music filled the air as attendees grasped turkey legs and beer steins. Knights and peasants alike offered a polite “mi-lady” to those passing by vendors and entertainment booths
New this year, the “Wheel of Death” saw Ichabod Wainwright spin in and outside of a 30-foot tall wheel on a 360-degree pendulum, drawing a crowd while telling jokes and juggling.
“He’s got a tomahawk,” a crowd member said in surprise, while a woman standing next to her gasped “oh my god.”
He juggled them while spinning the wheel like a hamster before sticking one in the ground.
Climbing atop the wheel, he had the crowd count down from five, up from three when he was performing inside the wheel.
“Five gives me more time to talk to God,” Wainwright quipped, as he grabbed a jump rope and climbed the wheel, teasing the crowd before skipping rope three times. As he flung the rope to applause, he flattened against the wheel as it turned toward the ground and hopped off.
Husband-and-wife-team Cameron Tomele and Margret Ebert returned to this year’s fair with their “Barely Balanced” act. As Ebert stood on Tomele’s shoulders to juggle knives during their finale, she joked that “to death do us part is his goal.”
“Fifty percent come in some kind of dress,” Wheeler said, including wenches and ladies in their finery. “Pirates, steampunk, we get it all. It’s a chance to dress up, be silly.”
With harpists, traveling minstrels and musical acts on stages, pipes and strings filled the air.
Jig to a Milestone’s Jason Catron and Victoria Van Arnam entertained as they entered the grounds with a bawdy tune about why beer is better than women.
“It’s only slightly inappropriate,” Catron told a family passing by.
“Now we’re prepared,” Wheeler said of the last-minute weather-proofing. “Next weekend will be beautiful and in great shape.”
Profits from the Medieval Faire go to the Kiwanis of Riverdale Foundation Fund to support local programs including Thanksgiving baskets for the needy, Christmas dinners, Buckingham Exceptional School, Lehigh Elementary School, Sunshine Elementary, Riverdale Key Club, school grants and scholarships and other East Zone school-related projects.
If you go
What: The Riverdale Kiwanis Medieival Faire featuring jousting, live chess match, the wheel-of-death entertainer, live sword fighting, royal court, children’s games, jugglers, magicians, minstrels, period food and medieval themed merchants.
When: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Saturday and Jan. 24.
Where: Lakes Regional Park, 7330 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers
Cost: $15 adults/$5 ages 4-11.
Information: Medieval-faire.com
Click here to see photos of the event