Outside of the ladies, Aaron's taste in faire activities was unexpectedly different from mine. For instance, he really enjoyed going through Castleton's "Ultimate Maze" (Photo, Above: shown standing at the Maze exit on Wee Ones' Way) even though his expression doesn't show it -- but, then, that could also be because he's a teenager, too! He also demonstrated considerable skill with the two-handed "boffer" sword at the LARP (Live-Action Role-Playing) pavilion next to Somers Field (Photo, Left: Aaron takes a defensive stance as his honorable opponent seeks an opportunity to attack). For a token fee, patrons could enter the "arena" -- a small area marked out on the grass with duct tape -- to do friendly battle for sixty seconds with the LARP Champion. That might not seem like such a long time, but believe me: Aaron and his worthy foeman certainly filled those seconds with many a right goodly blow given and received. Incidentally this also provided an opening for a bit of recruiting by the LARP folks as they could evaluate each patron's basic fighting skills during each contest AND get paid for doing it [grin]! Apparently Aaron showed considerable combat potential during his three minutes in the arena -- or at least enough to impress the LARP Champion (Photo, Below: Aaron swings mightily, forcing the Champion to take a wary step back). As they both cooled down afterwards (hey, YOU try sparring like that for three minutes and see if that doesn't work up a sweat with you), the Champion warmly praised Aaron's prowess with the boffer sword and pressed him to seek out the local LARP chapter in Arkansas. Alas, but Aaron's dream of doing knightly battle will have to wait as the nearest chapter is located in Little Rock, a three-hour drive one way across our rugged Ozark Mountains. One day, mayhap...!!!
experience for the cast members involved, I'm sure, considering how icy the weather was all day long), and simultaneously swinging from numerous ropes while cannons roared, pistols barked, pyrotechnics flared, fireworks cracked and a right good quantity of gunpowder was quickly consumed in the short space of thirty minutes. T'was simply chock full of sound, fury and blackpowder smoke which, as The Bard aptly noted, signifies...! In other words, it was soooo bad, it was GOOD [insert very big grin, here]!!! Alas, but Aaron quickly grew bored with the rambling "plot" (such as it were) and wandered off to entertain himself elsewhere, so he missed the grand appearance of the fierce dragon -- remember, it's called "The DRAGON ATTACK Stunt Show" -- Yoko ["Oh, No!"] (Photo, Above Right). Personally, I was very pleased to see the Stunt Show back again, with its' same bad jokes, same wooden acting (Photo, Below: one of the minions of the dragonmen "sneaks" up on the "unsuspecting" pirates below), same telegraphed punches, same choregraphed swordfighting and all. It was, in fact, one of the many good things I missed most after Hawkwood died. And aye, it may be an "acquired" taste, but I'm really glad to know now that the Stunt Show will go on...
Standard Disclaimer: This webpage is strictly an *Unofficial* look at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival held in Muskogee, OK. The author of these pages is in no way, shape, manner or form connected with the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival (3400 Fern Mountain Road, Muskogee OK 74401 :: 918-687-3625 :: 800-439-0658), the Castle at Muskogee 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 ©2000-2005 by George Laking.