NORTHWEST ARKANSAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 2008
        Fayetteville, Arkansas



        It's not the SIZE of a renaissance festival which matters -- it's really the SPIRIT of all the participants therein which makes a good faire truly GREAT!
        In 2008, for example, the Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival was much reduced by circumstance to just three vendors' tents, a demonstration table and a single food booth at a local sports center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Yet everyone there -- merchants, entertainers and players -- threw themselves into their respective roles with all the enthusiasm they could muster.
        It didn't hurt that they also had three boffer swords available...
        AND a gaggle of young, energetic RenRats with nothing better to do than beat each other soundly about the head and shoulders, until they were all black and blue!

        To Ryleh's surprise and amazement, his niece -- the lovely Lady Rhiannon -- suddenly decided to take up the (boffer) sword that day. The reason Ryleh was so amazed is that up until this day the Lady Rhi had always acted like a very prim and proper young maiden! At every previous faire she had ever visited, the Lady Rhi had simply shopped the merchants, danced with the Courts, enjoyed the serenades of wandering minstrels, flirted with her many boyfriends and joined in the "Last Huzzahs" but never, ever had she shown even the slightest inclination or interest in swordsladyship. But this day, however, her "inner Tomboy" came out in full force!!!

        First, she whaled the daylights out of all the young boys present. Then she put down a right lovely young Rennish lass in record time. Finally, she tackled the owner of the Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival, Donald Upton himself. But unlike her previous opponents, Don proved an accomplished swordsman. He was easily able to fend off her rushing attacks, even tho that didn't prevent her from attacking even more vigorously and agressively. This continued for almost three hours straight, with only brief breaks for rest and entertainment. Like her brother at Kansas City, Lady Rhiannon just didn't know when to quit.

        Needless to say, Lady Rhi truly felt every aching muscle and overworked joint in her body over the next two days, following! Since neither she nor her brother are athletically-inclined, this came as no great surprise. In fact, it only goes to prove that you have to train regularly to hone your skills and excercise daily to build up strength and stamina even if you only intend to meet your foemen with boffer weapons in the combat arena!

        Meanwhile, as the youngsters were pummeling each other mercilessly, Ryleh took the opportunity to talk with all the Rennies, merchants and patrons present. It was a great way to see the Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival from different perspectives as well as a way to catch up on all the news and gossip from the Midwest RenCircuit. Among other things, he learned that the Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival will be back in 2009 at a new location -- bigger and even better -- than ever before!

        This was great news, indeed. Not only is the NWArkRF our closest faire to home but considering how much fun we all had there in just three hours, it certainly has earned a place as a "must see" event on Ryleh's faire list for next Fall. See you all there!!!




        GALLERY

        FUN at the Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival 2008.




        VIDEOS OF THE
        NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
        RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 2008




        SWORDPLAY AT NWArkRF 2008, Part 1 -- 00:52
        Our own Lady Rhiannon took up boffer swords this weekend with a passion. After working her way thru a set of younger opponents, she headed straight for the adult division! Here she faces off against Don Upton, owner of the Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival (http://NWARenFest.org), who proved to be a formidable foeman, indeed. Video courtesy of Joe the Tech Lord.





        SWORDPLAY AT NWArkRF 2008, Part 2 -- 0:21
        Lady Rhiannon tries out a two-sword technique against Don Upton, owner of the Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival (http://NWARenFest.org). Interestingly enough, Lady Rhiannon has been a very prim and proper young lady -- until this weekend, when her inner tomboy suddenly came out. Still, what she lacked in sword skill she most definitely made up for with sheer enthusiasm! Video courtesy of Joe the Tech Lord.




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        This page created 14 December 2008


        Standard Disclaimer: This webpage is strictly an *Unofficial* look at the Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival held in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The author of these pages is in no way, shape, manner or form connected with the Northwest Arkansas Renaissance Festival (home page http://www.nwarenfest.org/) and/or any of the sponsors associated with this event. All opinions expressed are strictly this author's own. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are copyright ©2000-2008 by George Laking.