WOW! it has been far to long since i've done a blog post, this must change.
Smashing lances, crowds cheering, beer drinking, pig roasting, sword fighting and much much more! This was my experience today as I attended the 2014 Woodstock Ontario Renaissance Festival. This event was pretty amazing, with so much to see, from fire breathing to catapult slinging, archery, sword fights and Knights upon their steeds hitting each other with 10 foot wooden lances. When I showed up, the first thing I saw was 3 people dressed up in proper old time attire in a barn with Fire Batons spinning around their bodies, being balanced on their heads while another woman twirled around on a hula hoop type contraption hanging from the ceiling, it was quite impressive.
I continued onward to the grand stand where I heard the crowd yelling and clapping, of course I had to hurry to see what the ruckus was about. JOUSTING was about to commence! An announcer came out on a horse wearing quite the outfit and explaining what we were about to see and gave us the run down on how scoring for Jousting worked. Next rode out one of the knights, an older looking fellow with shiny armour. Then another knight came out, apparently they were father and son, who would think a father and son were about to joust one another, but thats what happened! 5 bouts took place with some real hard hits, one being dishorsed, chunks of wood flying through the air... men and women running through the crowd crying and screaming.... ok ok... that last part didn't happen, but in my weird over active mind it did lol.
Here's some of my images from the day... I was only there for about an hour so I didn't get to see everything they had to offer. At some point there were sword and axe fights, some falconry and bands. There's still time, I may go back. - Shutter Click~
© Kevin Vyse Photography
All rights reserved 2014
Fire Blower getting a flame to burst off the end of the baton.
© Kevin Vyse Photography
All rights reserved 2014
Lance smashes to pieces as the knights connect on horseback
© Kevin Vyse Photography
All rights reserved 2014
Another hard hit from the knights shattering the lances... the knight in blue was actually dishorsed with this hit.
© Kevin Vyse Photography
All rights reserved 2014
First Knight came out and put his helmet on, then proceeded to ride right up to me for a close up photo op
© Kevin Vyse Photography
All rights reserved 2014
After jousting a crowd gathered on the grass as a bagpipe and drum band rocked out some tunes to promote their show later tonight. Braveheart style!
