Hear ye, hear ye! May is the month of Renaissance revived here in Middle Tennessee, as the annual Tennessee Renaissance Festival descends upon the little town of Triune, about 10 miles west of ye ole Murfreesboro.
In the shadow of Castle Gwynn (the 100-foot tall, two-towered home of Mike and Jackie Freeman), nobles, craftsmen, knights, ladies, fairies, pirates, wenches and entertainers set up shop each weekend in what the locals refer to as the Village of Covington Glen.
Winding paths take visitors through a maze of stages, booths, rides, games and event fields. Music floats through the air from all directions, as strategically-placed period musicians weave their festive airs. The constant backdrop of music is fitting, as the 16th century-inspired village also sits in the shadow of Music City.
Once visitors are inside they are greeted by the enchanting sound of Featherstone, a two-man band dressed up in period clothing, with feathers in their hats, featuring Joe Jewell and his hammer dulcimer.
Inside, six stages are graced with acrobats, musicians, jugglers, dancers, singers, comedians and daring men like fire performer Johnny Phoenix and juggler Paulo Garbanzo.
Throughout the day at the Red Hook Pub stage, the infamous Axel the Sot takes the stage, peddling his particular mix of lewd period humor and song, and his latest CD, Songs to Sing When You’re Drunk.
“It starts out dirty, gets dirtier, and then gets even worse,” Axel assured his crowd after singing a peculiar song about a moose. Earlier in the day his show is a little more family friendly, but as the hours get later, Axel doesn’t hold anything back, his show is decidedly PG-13.
Parents need not be alarmed. Not only is there an entire children’s area, man-powered rides, food, face painting, tests of strength and a special maze (that benefits first responders in surrounding counties) are all among the family-friendly events on site, run by smiling folks using outrageous accents. There are even two camels on site, fitted with saddles, ready to give friendly visitors a ride.
The Tournament Field, located at the northwestern end of the festival, draws the biggest crowds of the day, with a royal joust held three times daily and a comedic human chess match featuring Queen Elizabeth and her court battling it out.
Three times a day Master Falconer Kitty Tolson-Carroll takes the field with her assistant and several birds of prey for a special presentation, “Birds of the Gauntlet.” Kitty is one of only five female master falconers in the country. Even on a windy Sunday, Kitty releases several of her birds, allowing them to fly free in a fast-paced game of catch, while she gives the crowd a brief history of the sport of falconing, the breeds of birds she had with her, and general information on owning popular birds like parrots. Her assistant walks the crowd, giving viewers a closer look at their beautiful specimens. Her birds may be viewed all day at a booth across from the field.
Along the paths, nestled in between trees, more than 60 artisans from across the country have come to display their wares and tempt festivalgoers into losing their change purses. Offerings range from hand-crafted jewelry to swords and spears, homemade armor, wings, charms and chimes. Face painters, fortunetellers, hair stylists, and local hawkers fill in the gaps.
So get thee out to Castle Gwynn, where tours are given on festival weekends until 4:30 p.m. Don’t be shy about getting yourself a turkey leg to munch on, and a refillable festival tankard of beer, and be ready to smile all day in the company of hundreds in one of the most accepting environments in the kingdom. Don’t forget your wings, tiara and tights.
Theme Weekends Include:
Pirate Invasion, May 17 – 18
Gath of Baal International Jousting Tournament, May 24 – 26
For more information visit tnrenfest.com
