Costumed crowds eating large turkey legs gathered yesterday at the South Arkansas Arboretum for South Arkansas Community College’s first ever Fellowship of the Spring Renaissance Faire.
“I think it’s great, a great beginning,” said Mike Means, who attended the Faire as the ‘village idiot.’ “I think they need to keep it up and in a few years it could be pretty good.”
Many other attendees echoed Means’ sentiments. This year, participants could purchase magic wands, Butterbeer and large turkey legs. Rachel, Hannah and Jonathan Harbour sold baked goods from their booth, the House of Harbour Sweet Shop.
“I’m certainly excited that something like this is in El Dorado because as long as I can remember, me and my siblings have been interested in medieval times and it’s neat to see other people interested,” Jonathan Harbour said.
El Dorado Mayor Veronica Smith-Creer was crowned Queen of the Faire as emcee Gary Hall described the land she would rule over: from the district of MAD-ness to the Mart of Wal.
Smith-Creer used her queenly powers to knight several men and boys as judges chose a winner for a costume contest that was held. One young lady, Reagan Smith, received the title of Dame Smith from Smith-Creer.
After Smith-Creer’s coronation, a sword fight broke out in a clearing nearby. Dalton McCuistion and Justin Howard battled with traditional rapiers. The fight was fair until a spectator tossed Howard a second rapier; however, McCuistion was able to emerge as victor despite Howard’s advantage.
“It was long,” McCuistion said, describing learning the fight choreography, which Howard designed. “We did at least two hours a night. You’ve really just got to get that down pat.”
A collection of scenes from the works of Shakespeare were performed by players directed by Jacob George. Scenes from “Henry V,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “As You Like It,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” “Julius Caesar,” “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Othello,” “Macbeth,” “Titus Andronicus” and “The Tempest” were included.
“I like the way we did it because that was their entertainment. Back then, people would just gather in the amphitheater and watch the players, no microphones, no crazy effects,” George said. “So even though we were just in t-shirts and jeans, it had the same feeling that I think it would’ve been like back in those days.”
McCuistion was one of yesterday’s players, performing as title character Hamlet in a monologue from the play and a chorus member in a chorus scene from Henry V.
“That was really fun, honestly,” McCuistion said. “I really like it that it’s just a big collection of the shows everyone likes. They’re everyone’s favorites.”
McCuistion was at the Renaissance Faire with his nephew, 10-year-old Jackson Lewis. Jackson said he got some cool steampunk goggles at the Faire and tried Butterbeer.
“I think he did good,” Jackson said about McCuistion’s performance.
Smith-Creer awarded several attendees medals for their period costumes. In the children’s division, Daymion Samuels and Sammy Shaffer took third for their matching jester costumes; Reagan Smith took second for her fairy princess outfit; and Karma Samuels took first for her medieval gown.
In the adult division, the House of Harbour took third place with all three siblings winning for their Renaissance period outfits; Brittany Stanton took second place for her elf costume; and Scott Steele took first in a costume resembling one the Bard (Shakespeare) himself would wear.
“I’ve always been a huge fan of Renaissance Faires and it’s just been a huge part of something I’ve loved since I was a kid,” Steele said, adding that in the 20 years he’s attended Ren Faires, he has been to about 25 in all. “This has been really awesome. I’m really excited to see this become part of the culture.”
The Faire was originally meant to take place April 13, but due to rain was rescheduled. The Renaissance Faire is expected to become an annual event, something many of the Faire’s attendees said they hoped to see.
“As soon as I got here it had a Renaissance vibe. Honestly, the turnout was better than I expected,” McCuistion said. “There were lots of people dressed up and ready to have fun. I’m surprised El Dorado has this side.”
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].