The past comes alive for history buffs at Shelby Farms

The past comes alive for history buffs at Shelby Farms

ralphhardin@gmail.com The Mid- South Renaissance Fair, conducted over a pair of weekends last month, Aug. 20- 21 and 27- 28, at Shelby Farms in Memphis, transported fair-goers to the bygone era of fair maidens and chivalrous knights.

New for this year, added pony rides and a petting zoo, a 'storm the castle' rock wall, skittles lawn bowling, a Renaissance art gallery, a brass rubbings station, and an official faire merchandise tent.

Performer highlights included Paragon Jousting, a nationally known husband and wife team from New York. Paolo Garbanzo’s comedy juggling show, Giacomo the Jester, and the Scottish family trio bagpipe and drum band, Haggis Rampant.

The second annual edition of the Mid-South Ren- Faire is also introduced new acts, Shelli Buttons (aerial arts, juggling, bottle walking), The Jackdaws (Celtic band) and The Lords of Adventure (a hilarious comedy fight show).

This year’s faire featured vendors from all over the U.S., selling everything Renaissance, from chainmail and wooden swords and shields to hair braiding and costumes, with blacksmithing demos with Blue Dog Forge and martial weapons fighting demos by the Society for Creative Anachronisms.

And, of course, the period- appropriate food and fun, including turkey legs, beer and mead tastings, a costume contest, Elizabethan dancing and Knighting Ceremonies by the Queen of the Faire.

Plans are already underway for next year’s Faire.

For more information, visit midsouthrenfaire.com.

By Ralph Hardin