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January 16, 2006

Kings and mermaids and pirates, oh my!

LORALEA EPPERSON

For those traveling through downtown Edmond Saturday, you may have thought you traveled back in time.

The streets were lined with Knights, Lords and Lady’s, all dressed from head to toe in Renaissance inspired garb. And they were all enjoying a cup of hot joe.

Java Dave’s was the official meeting place for those that will be involved in this years “Scarlet’s Mid-Winter Renaissance Festival,” set to take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 28-29 at the State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.

Edmond residents Lord John (John Graywoll) and Lady Ameera (Joan Graywoll) have had a love for the era since 1997 when they attended King Richard’s Fair in Massachusetts, where they lived.

“Once we visited our first fair we became enthusiastic about the entire Renaissance period,” Lord John said.

The couple has a business, The Enchanted Realm, where they invite their customers to “Join us for an exciting journey full of fun, adventures and merriment on the road to Medieval times.”

Lord John says he enjoys the Scarlet festival because it brings the era that he loves so close to home.

“We always have a great time — lots of fun,” he said.

The Scarlet Fair gets its name from the story of Captain O’Hara, who sailed the seven seas with his loyal pet and first mate, a young fox kit named Scarlet.

“Sailing around they fought valiantly together with their crew against whole armies, pirates and the various dangers of the sea,” it says on the Scarlet Fest Web site.

“Finally rich beyond compare and now known as The Pirate King and Prince Scarlet, they finally grew weary of a life of sailing. King O’ Hara decided to settle down with his crew and Scarlet, creating Scarlet’s Keep in honor of his loyal pet and companion.”

Now each year he and Scarlet host a mid-winter festival complete with musicians, performers, merchants and food.

It’s these added surprises that can create an addictive environment for those who attend the festival.

Such is true for a Pirate in attendance at Java Dave’s who would only refer to himself as Swagger.

“I followed a girlfriend to a festival in Oklahoma City,” Swagger, said. “I’d never gone to a festival before, and I became hooked on the music.

“It was the Bilge Pumps, a sea shanty type of music — sort of pirate music of the Sea. There was also Celtic music.”

Swaggar says it wasn’t long before he had completely immersed himself into the Renaissance lifestyle.

He even drove all the way from Tulsa Saturday just to attend the festival at Java Dave’s.

“Before you know it your listening to the music and dressing the part,” he said. “Your walking around thinking how you can’t wait for the next festival.

“You’ve got a whole new lifestyle.”

Being invited to work in character at a festival is also another way people become addicted to the time period, Edmond resident Tony Cleek said.

“I am a history buff and I had some friends in Norman who invited me to be a Guard of the Royal Court,” Cleek said. “I had so much fun and did such a good job that they invited me to be a Knight.”

Cleek said that most people think the festivals are scripted or rehearsed, but actually 90 percent of it is pure improve and interaction with the crowds.

“You begin to learn the older words and the correct accents and you can make your character more convincing,” he said.

(Loralea Epperson may be reached via e-mail at lepperson@edmondsun.com.)

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