Step back in time at the Yarra Valley Medieval Festival later this month.By Melissa Donchi
HISTORIC Events will bring their unique style of medieval history to the Yarra Valley for the first time in 2007.
The Yarra Valley Medieval Festival will provide a full medieval fair complete with living historians, merchants, games and combat, transforming the grounds of Archery Park in Launching Place into a grand medieval fair.
Every hour visitors will be entertained by a variety of games, dances and activities they can participate in.
This year visitors will be presented with a Vikings challenge where the winner must destroy the opponent’s shield, professional jousters and Norman warriors from 1066.
There will be a Birds of Prey exhibition, where eagles will be flown and a medieval talk given on the history of the birds and their role, an Order of the Crown tournament group will also perform with archery demonstrations and competitions running all day.
The Historic Events management team has more than 20 years’ experience in recreating the life and culture of bygone eras.
Over the past five years they have been facilitating and restoring some of the most riveting moments in living history. Recent highlights include the Danish Vikings Festival and a tournament at the Royal Melbourne Show where countless people watched two sides of knights fight for their honour and glory.
Historic Events also cater for small community and local events organised both independently and with the living history community.
The management team has working relationships with entertainers and re-enactors from all over Australia and has the staff and contacts to facilitate any event with a historical flavour.
The festival is considered to be a great opportunity to take part in medieval history and meet like-minded enthusiasts.
The Yarra Valley Medieval Festival takes place on the Saturday, 20 and Sunday, 21 January at Archery Park in Launching Place. Doors open at 10am on both days.
