According to Dan Flood, Project Manager, one of the major changes in 1998 will be to move the crafters, food vendors and village blacksmith to the old site of the SCA encampment in the woods next to the Main Gate. This will provide both shade and a more level/even area for both players and patrons alike. The games and rides will take the place of the old craft area over the hill and the SCA encampment will be relocated to another convenient locale. Many of the entertainers from 1997 will return, including "Lark in the Morning", a Celtic band from Little Rock. In addition, the Ozark Scottish Highland Band from Fayetteville may put in an appearance and the local Masonic Lodge may hold their "Woodsmen in the Forest" Ceremony on the grounds during the Faire.

New this year will be the Scottish Highland Games held during the Festival. While the participants will be competing on an amateur basis only, professional judges will be onsite to judge the events and award prizes. In addition, a local falconer from Springdale, Arkansas, will not only show the birds he breeds and trains, but will also hold demonstrations twice daily of the Medieval art of Falconry at the Faire. "Noble Cause Productions", a jousting troupe from Norman, Oklahoma, will provide the color and excitement of the lists for spectators--and the same troupe will also compete in the new "Human Chess Game". As presently scheduled, there will be two to three jousts and two chess matches performed daily.

Many games of skill will be offered for all ages to play. Ax throwing, knife throwing, star throw, crossbow shooting, spear throw, Chicken Checkers, Rodent Round About, Jacobs Ladder, Frog Catapult and Veggie Vengance will be among the many games offered. Most games will cost only one dollar to play.

There will be an abundance of food for all tastes, too. Smoked Turkey Drumsticks, Roasting Ears of Corn, Shrimp Kabobs, Shepherds' Pie, Polish Sausage, Pizza, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and Barbecue will be among the many exotic foods offered. Food prices will range from one to five dollars, with most drinks going for $1.50 each.

More community events will also be added this year. On Friday, 2 October, a "Children's Pagaent" will be held with a contest to select a Prince and Princess for the Festival. Then on Saturday afternoon, 3 October, a parade full of Medieval color and costumes will be held through downtown Huntsville, heralding the opening of the Faire on the following weekend.

Friday, 9 October

9:30am...............Gates Open
10am..................Falcon Exhibition
10:30am.............Human Chess Game
11am..................Royal Grand March
11:30am.............Jousting
NOON................Stage Show
12:30pm.............Human Chess Game
1pm....................Stage Show
1:30pm................Jousting
2pm.....................Stage Show
2:30pm................Falcon Exhibition
3pm.....................Stage Show
3:30pm................Stage Show
4pm.....................Gates Close
7-10pm................Boar's Head Feast and Costume Ball

Saturday, 10 October

9am.....................Ozark Highland Games
9:30am................ACA Crossbow Tournament begins
10am...................Stage Show
10:30am..............Falcon Exhibition
11am...................Royal Grand March
11:30am..............Jousting
NOON.................Stage Show
12:30pm..............Stage Show
1pm.....................Human Chess Game
1:30pm................Stage Show
2pm.....................Stage Show
2:30pm................Jousting
3pm.....................Stage Show
3:30pm................Stage Show
4pm.....................Falcom Exhibition
4:30pm................Human Chess Game
5pm.....................Stage Show
5:30pm................Stage Show
6pm.....................Jousting
6:30pm................Stage Show
7pm.....................Gates Close

Sunday, 11 October

9:30am.................ACA Crossbow Tournament continues
10am....................Stage Show
10:30am...............Falcon Exhibition
11am....................Royal Grand March
11:30am...............Jousting
NOON..................Stage Show
12:30pm...............Human Chess Game
1pm......................Stage Show
1:30pm.................Jousting
2pm......................Stage Show
2:30pm.................Stage Show
3pm......................Stage Show
3:30pm.................Human Chess Game
4pm......................Falcon Exhibition
4:30pm.................Stage Show
5pm......................Jousting
5:30pm.................Stage Show
6pm......................Faire Ends

Note that the above schedule is not firm and may be changed again before October. You may wish to contact the Withrow Renaissance Festival first to confirm their times and weekend schedule, (see contact information, below), before making plans to attend. The Boar's Head Feast is by reservation only, with lots of food, music, dancing and entertainment included. On both Saturday and Sunday, the ACA will hold their 45th annual Crossbow Competition. The Ozark Highland Games will compete throughout the day on Saturday, only.

Vendor/participant camping is available onsite. No modern weapons are allowed. All other weapons must be "peace-tied", although knives used as eating utensils are OK.

For more information on the 1998 Withrow Renaissance Festival--either as a patron or a participant--contact Dan Flood by writing the Withrow Renaissance Festival, P.O. Box 629, Huntsville, AR 72740; or by calling (501) 738-6273 weekdays between 10am-4pm.

HISTORY OF THE WITHROW RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL TO BE BIGGER... - added 15 September 98 a recent newspaper article about the Withrow Renaissance Festival!