Donning their finest sacks and shining their swords, peasants, minstrels and knights are getting set for the 2017 Inverell Medieval Festival.
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But this year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever, founder and organiser Katrina Shailer said.
Friday March 31 will see the main street throwback to the dark ages with a street walk.
And this year will feature something a little extra.
“We’ve added a medieval dress parade and we’re inviting people to come along and join in,” Ms Shailer said.
The medieval fairies parade is open to children aged between eight and 12.
“Then we have the medieval maidens which is 13 to 18 years and the medieval ladies which is 19 and over,” she said.
And for dress? The only rule is to get creative.
“A lot of the men could get away with an old sack and a belt around it and boots,” she said.
“The girls wear long, singlet style dresses that are tied at the front … even like a pinafore and flat shoes with rags on their feet.
“Some go with the Celtic, “witch” look.”
And if you’d prefer the higher class – lords and ladies dress up in Renaissance style.
“They will walk around the arena and they will get judged … and then each will be crowned and receive a certificate,” she said.
This year marks three years since the festival first began and will also feature the first-ever music and feast night which will be held on Saturday night.
“It will be all medieval food with music and we have a band coming called Wayward – they play Celtic and medieval music,” she said.
“We’re having a ‘beefy stywyrd’, which is made with beef on the bone and turnips, parsnips and potato – they usually ate a lot of root vegetables.”
The festival will also have static displays, combats, talks, musicians, a visit from the Caledonian Society and Celtic fairy-tales.
“There’s lots of stuff that we will be having,” she said.
The walk will be held on March 31 at 2pm and Medieval Festival at the Gilgai Hall and Oval on April 1 and 2. For more contact Katrina on 0434 761 362.