Per request by one of our fellow Merchants I would like to share with everyone another adventure we had just a couple weeks ago.  One April 25th our family prepared to attend the Sedalia Celtic Festival.  This was to be our third year attending and we were look forward to it with great anticipation as it marks the first outdoor Festival of the Spring.  This was also going to be the first Faire for our youngest since we was able to walk and our oldest was not traveling with us as she was attending her Prom on Saturday evening of the Festival.  

The weather looked good for set up and we were off to the Faire.  After the typical refueling (yes, diesel fuel is expensive) and lunch stop we arrived on site around 1 p.m. As we were already aware of where they wanted us to set up we pulled in the lower valley area adjacent to the wooden Park of Poems and then walked up to the offices to let them know we had arrived.  As we crested the hill our youngest noticed that there was a wooden play structure and immediately the word "PLAY" was announced.  As you could probably guess our girls, ages 2 1/2 and nearly 11, spent most of the time on the play structure swinging, sliding and climbing.  What a wonderful diversion!!!

Set up began...  As every Faire ground is different so seems our set up to be therefore there is quite a bit of planning prior to driving stakes and tying ropes.  At this particular Event we set up almost all of our tents which include sleeping tents (Regent and Viking Wedge), Shoppe tent and Games tent.  We did decide not to set up the Period Privy as the Sedalia Center has very nice facilities available.  We had to chuckle as we unloaded the trailer and truck that it appearance that we have exploded due to the amount of space everything takes up when it is laying on the ground.  Our newest addition at this Event was the modification of our Shoppe and Games tents.  As you might remember from the last Festival with the 60 mph winds our Shoppe Tent had been taken down by the wind.  To ensure stability we added four more poles with ropes and center cleats to each tent.  It was a wonderful addition however took two additional hours to grommet all the sides and to add the cleats.

As we finished setting up the tents, preparing the games and began getting things in place the spring rains rolled into the valley. We hurried to get everything undercover however missed the two things that were hanging on the far side of the trailer.  Our rain jackets, Oops!  The rain was not hard but it was steady and ongoing.  We had no option but to prepare dinner in the rain.  Keeping coals burning in the brazier was definitely interesting.  Basically it involved keeping the coals dry by keeping the pots and pans over the heated coals.   

With dinner accomplished we focused on trying to get the interior of the tents set up while keeping as much dry as possible.  Well that was definitely going to be a trick since when we opened the doors to our tent we found 3 inches of standing water.  We bailed out the tent floor but as soon as we were finished it filled back up.  So we decided just to work around it.  Now on as for the girls' Viking Wedge it was completely dry including the floor.  I stated that if a tent was going to be wet I would much prefer it be ours to the girls. 

It was still raining at 10 p.m. so there was no point in setting up the Shoppe and get everything wet so we decided to retire for the night.  I hate to say but it wasn't a pleasant evening.  To my knowledge there were two other encampments.  One was on higher ground and the other in a field behind our encampment.  We are quite accustom to people walking about and continuing to set up tents late into the night and at this particular Event there is even a sound check that can last until midnight.  The issue however was first when people stood outside the girls' tent talking and began moving our game components and then there was yelling profanities till nearly 2 a.m.  When all was said and done our youngest finally was able to sleep at 2 a.m. and I slept for 3 hours on the girls' tent floor before getting up at 5 a.m. to complete the Shoppe setup for the opening of the Festival at 10 a.m.  

 The day looked wonderful. The sun was rising and most of the rain that had pooled the night before was drying up.  With the sun rolled in Merchants, Performers and our new Staff member Rob dressed most appropriately in a traditional kilt and period shoes. Rob volunteered to help with games and did an amazing job both with the games as well as helping with set up and take down.  Even though the gates didn't opened until 10 a.m. there were Patrons on the ground beginning at 9 a.m. which shorted our preparation time and unfortunately I was the last one ready.  The morning warmed quickly and people began saying it was too warm but I replied it was much better than the day before with the rain.  The day was so busy that I only made it out of our encampment once. I had hopes to visit with the other Merchants and Performers but Celina, our 2 year old, had other interests so I was only able to make one very quick trip around the circle basically running and then returned to the Shoppe so Sir Blackwolf could begin the first of three Human Chess games scheduled for that day.  During the Human Chess game our youngest strolled in and out through the participants until one young lady stopped her and declared to Sir Blackwolf that she was a lost little girl, to which he replied "she is my daughter".   Not missing a beat the little lady asked "Can I play with her then?" 

One of the most memorable Patrons was a gentleman who inquired about a Scandinavian Flag for his motorcycle.  Sir Blackwolf showed him that I had the Scandinavian Flag as my standard displayed outside our tent and that he could purchase a similar one online.  Well I guess he was taken by the flag because he came back an hour or so later and asked to purchase the one I had onsite. After speaking with him for some time and realizing this Viking kinsman's true desire to show his Scandinavian heritage I was honoured to sell him my flag and we made an agreement that he would return at the end of the Event.  

We had heard forecasts that rain was predicted to begin at 3 p.m.  Well it must have been watching the clock because right at the stroke of 3 the clouds, thunder, lighting and rain rolled in.  Many Merchants who had nothing but EZ ups scrambled to hold down merchandise as well as their tentage.  We were fortunate as we were able to put up several walls around the Shoppe to provide shelter for our staff and Patrons.  The rain poured!!! 

We heard announcements over the PA of how far the storm was from our location and updates on the severity.  Our children including my niece and nephews took shelter on the other side of our encampment and we heard giggles and screams with each lighting strike that seem to be surrounding us.  We kept an eye on our tents and they held firm.  We did have an occasional pocket of water that we would push off the edge of the shelter but the ropes and poles held tight.  Sir Blackwolf pointed out that water was running down the hill directly towards the Shoppe as though it was a waterfall but right before our tent it turned right and I'm afraid soaked our friends set up beside us.  There was literally a lake under their Merchant tent.  As the wind swirled we feared a tornado but instead the hail began.  Yes you ready right HAIL!  It was marble size hail hitting with immense force.  I watched and prayed as the canvas was pelted time and time again.  As the skies lighten and the hail stopped I was thrilled and relieved that there was no damage.  And with the breaking of the clouds came of cheer from the other side of our encampment and then a huge cheer from all that who had taken refuse from the storm in the bandstand area. 

As the weather cleared walls were taken down and the Festival resumed with an overwhelming energy of surviving a battle.  Patrons bought new clothes and cloaks and Warpipe began playing. As the bagpipes filled the air the children ran about with new face painting and toy swords in hand.  The festivities continued until after 8 p.m. with a final encore of Hunting McCleod.

We shall always enjoy attending Sedalia for you never know just what the Spring might bring!! 

And now onto Stone Tower Glenn Renaissance Faire, June 21-22, 2008!

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