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Balingup Medieval Canivale
Saturday
28th August 2004
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I
don't get out much! But once a year I do enjoy going to the
Faire - Balingup Medieval Carnivale, to be exact. It's the only
proper Medieval / Renaissance Faire in my home state of Western
Australia, and it's in a beautiful little country town in the
South-West of the state called Balingup. I'll point you at a
a site with more info, but it's very out of date:
www.balingup.asn.au/p5-balingup_carnival.htm
There
is a procession, accompanied by music and wonderful costumes.
Most of the stallholders get into the spirit and at least dress
in costume.
In
2003, I did short 3-card readings in a tiny candlelit tent -
at least I got to keep warm on what was a pretty wild and rainy
day (if only it was held a month or so later, when the weather
was more likely to be fine! August is still winter here, but
as that's when the tulips are in season, it's held then). Poor
Jasper was shivering outside in his chainmail, but he looked
so cute.
This
year, I won't be doing readings as I want to meet more people
at the Faire and it's a bit difficult when I'm hidden away in
a tent for the whole day. I hope a friend of mine will do readings
in my stall though. I'll be selling tarot decks, my homemade
bags and also some aromatherapy products I make - perfume oils,
bath salts, hand creams etc with essential oils. I'm going to
make some especially themed for the day - "Sherwood Forest",
"Tudor Rose" and "Saracen's Gift".
One
of the best ways to attend the Faire is to catch the Hotham
Valley Steam Train down from Perth. I'm not sure if it runs
every year.
The
demonstrations by various Medieval Re-enactment groups such
as Perth's Grey
Company were great fun. I'm sure some SCA
people must have been there too, although I'm not involved in
the re-enactor scene here in Perth so I wouldn't really know.
There
are some great photos of the event at:
www.abc.net.au/southwestwa/stories/s929957.htm
If
you're coming along, I really recommend you dress for the occassion.
You could make your own costumes (which is a lot more fun -
we did) or you can be a lazy-bones and buy or rent one. I suggest:
