NANAIMO — Hark, attend ye weary travelers and curious locals! All are welcome this fine weekend in Coombs, for a journey through the ages awaits!
Hundreds of artisans, entertainers and period-appropriate enthusiasts are expected for two days of activities and demonstrations straight from Medieval times, beginning Saturday, Sept. 13 and continuing into Sunday.
Event steward Elena Arvalias told NanaimoNewsNOW the event is in its fourth year and draws a wide array of people, all passionate about the art form of representing medieval times.
“[The first year] we had 500 people show up, and I don’t know how much it rained, but it was a swimming pool, and everybody had so much fun that we decided we would do it again. So, then we moved to the Coombs Fairgrounds, where we pretty much doubled the second year, and then we doubled again the third year.”
Artisans are also attending, many directly linked to the medieval time period through their crafts. (Medieval Fall Faire)The event is hosted by the Shire of Hartwood and the Barony of Seagirt, two of the six community groups involved in the weekend festival.
Sword fighting, armoured combat, knights, combat archery and small war scenarios are on the schedule over the two days.
Music and storytelling are also planned.
Around 100 different merchants, all at least tangentially linked to the theme, will also be on hand.
Cash is required for the $5 per person entry fee for everyone over the age of 12. Children under 12, accompanied by a paying adult, are free.
No pets are allowed at the event, with the exception of certified service dogs.
Arvalias said their goal is to have people transport back in time as soon as they get out of their vehicles, while also serving as an educational aspect about the era.
“We’re playing and we’re learning from each other. We have university where we teach classes, I’ve learned how to make cheese, and we all just love to share with each other. What a wonderful community.”
A full schedule of events. (Medieval Fall Faire)Those most connected to the medieval era adopt distinct personalities, including names for their period-appropriate character.
Arvalias goes by Maestra Aspasia Bevilacqua, a combination of her grandmother’s name which was also a name from ancient Greece, along with the name of a painting of a famous weaving family.
“We come up with a persona that we’re excited about that can come out from various ways. The way that I chose my persona is that I have a love of Botticelli and Michelangelo and the Medicis, and so that kind of gave me an idea of where I wanted to be, and what time period I wanted to be.
Arvalias was first exposed to the medieval community on the mid-Island by a friend of her husband, who joined the pair at an event which quickly got her hooked.
“I’m a craft person, so I do weaving and spinning and dying, growing food and things like that. Being able to combine that and then being with people that are like minded is really exciting to me.”
More event details are available here.
Axe throwing, as well as a variety of demonstrations and activities will be on offer through the weekend. (Medieval Fall Faire)We’re on Bluesky! Stay up to date on news across central Vancouver Island through Bluesky, by following @NanaimoNewsNOW.bsky.social.
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