Medieval Festival at Upper Canada Village
Candy Pollard

Step back a thousand years to the majestic and chivalrous middle ages at Upper Canada Village’s Medieval Festival, the first event of its kind in Eastern Ontario, running for three days only – Friday to Sunday, June 13th to 15th, 2008. This spectacular event features a full array of entertainment designed to amaze and dazzle all ages in a recreated medieval encampment encompassing 10 acres in Morrisburg, just an hour south of Ottawa and an hour and a half West of Montreal.

Guests can go back to a time when wizards conjured secret spells, falcons hunted for their masters, warfare was conducted with trebuchets, and knights jousted on horseback to win royal favour. Join in the fun and come dressed in medieval garb to blend in with the folk on the shire. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the outcome of a royal contest that could change the course of history! Along with the jousting tournaments and falconry shows, a colourful band of medieval performers will offer continuous entertainment on five stages. Jugglers, jesters, magicians, musicians, gypsies, comedians, dancers, and even belly dancers will create a colourful and dynamic blend of Medieval music, life and laughter throughout the event. See the Ottawa Sword Guild, our very own Wizard, the Knotty Knickers, Zoltan the Adequate, the Knot Brothers, Pester the Jester, Captain Jack Sparrow. Enjoy medieval guitar, bagpipe, and harp music that will all add to the faire atmosphere. Trebuchet demonstrations, medieval games for kids, story-telling of favourite tales of Macbeth and Robin Hood, artisans, a medieval marketplace, and the Bow & Arrow food tent and pub round out the daily activities.

The Medieval Festival is set in the year of our Lord 1139 and all England is mourning King Henry I. His daughter Empress Matilda is poised to take the throne with her consort, Count Geoffrey of Anjou, by her side. But her nefarious cousin Stephen of Blois wants the crown for himself. Empress Matilda is ready for the challenge, for if she loses, England will once again fall into the Dark Ages. Can her Knights of Valour protect the Empress from her enemies? The Empress plans to knight as many new lords and ladies as she can from among the children at the Festival to bolster the ranks of her supporters.

A special feature of the festival is the Knights of Valour, long renowned for their exciting shows of horsemanship, bravery, and chivalry, as they have entertained audiences from around the world for over a decade. The Knights will perform two action-packed shows per day (one heavy armour joust and one light) in a style worthy of Kings! As well, the Canadian Raptor Conservancy will mount three demonstrations per day of their birds of prey, which include eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, and kestrels. Each demonstration includes five different raptors from around the world, including at least three free-flying birds. Between shows you can ask questions of both the falconers and the Knights and admire their animals.

And last but not least, the Royal Court, including the Empress, the Count and their entire entourage, will preside over the opening and closing of the town gates, the Court Picnic, the King’s Banquet (in honour of the late Henry I), and of course the jousting tournaments and knighting ceremony.

On Saturday evening, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., take part in a sumptuous and entertaining King's Banquet, complete with medieval-style fare and entertainment by the Tartan Terrors. The Tartan Terrors provide the best in music, comedy, and dance: the blistering piping of a two-time World Champion Bagpiper, the driving tones of drums from around the world, a guitar played unlike any you've ever heard, championship calibre Highland Dancers, and internationally recognized comedic performers.

The Festival takes place Friday and Saturday, June 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission fees are plus GST for daily Medieval Festival tickets as follows: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for teens, $7 for youths, $3 for children from 2 to 4, and $10.00 per person for groups of 20 or more, with all activities except games and food included. The King’s Banquet requires a separate ticket and advance reservations are recommended as space is limited.

The Festival takes place at the Upper Canada Village Heritage Park in Morrisburg, along the St. Lawrence River and an easy drive from Ottawa, Cornwall, Montreal and Kingston, as well as close to a number of bridge crossings to the U.S. This location in the Upper Canada Region is about 31/2 hours east of Toronto. Lots of lodging and camping is nearby. See the Festival website at www.medievalfestival.ca for more information.

For additional information or to order a free Upper Canada Village Heritage Park Visitor’s Guide, call 1-800-437 2233 (543-4328 locally) or visit the Village website at www.uppercanadavillage.com.

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