Bigger and better: the 1998 Withrow Renaissance Festival had more of everything -- rides, crafters, musicians, players and events -- to entertain and amuse fairegoers of all ages! New that year was a local falconer from Springdale, Arkansas (photo, left), who demonstrated the Medieval sport of falconry, the Ozark Highland Games and the Human Chess Match presented by "Noble Cause" -- a jousting and medieval recreation troupe from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma -- who also provided the Royal Court and the Royal Tournment for the festival.

There were also major changes to enhance the festival layout. For one, the craft merchants and artisans were shifted into the woods near the main gate, creating a shady and pleasant "Craft Village" for casual browsing. For another, all the rides, games and Children's Tent were moved to the rear of the festival grounds. Younger fairegoers -- full of energy and excitement -- didn't mind at all racing up and down the hill from one amusement to another while their elders could find shade at the top, sit and still keep a watchful eye on their youthful charges.

Adjacent to the Craft Village was the site of the 45th Annual American Crossbow Association Tournament, with the tent for "The Boar's Head Feast" and the grounds for the Ozark Highland Games nearby. Altogether, the new layout made it easy for patrons to stroll from one area to another, casually taking in the many events scheduled throughout each day while absorbing all the flavor and color of the Withrow Renaissance Festival.

In the photo galleries, below, you can now savor some of this same renaissance flavor! Since all these photos were taken by a staff member for publication in the Huntsville, Arkansas, newspaper, the "Madison County Record", they are all in black-and-white. Everything about a Renaissance festival is very colorful: reds, blues, purples, yellows with gold and silver to match. Everywhere! So be sure to bring your own camera to the next Withrow Renaissance Festival -- and don't forget to stock up on lots of COLOR film!

You just never know who -- or what! -- you might run into at the Withrow Renaissance Festival. Perhaps a pair of full-grown, miniature ponies...

Or a wierd Herald pushing his cart through the Faire!

Perhaps you may want to pause and enjoy the melodious sounds of wandering minstrels...

Speak with a wandering magician from some far-off and exotic land...

Or maybe even meet Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Scotland -- Robert the Bruce and his Queen, Elizabeth -- themselves (here shown with Bill Dillon of the Arkansas State Parks and Recreation Department, center)!

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All photographs on this page are copyright ©1998,1999 by the Madison County Record. These photos are presented here strictly for entertainment and informational purposes only. No infringement of copyright is either implied nor intended by their appearance herein.

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