"Ye Olde May Fest" Recap

Welcome to Day Three of Recap Week.

Over the last six weeks, I was blessed to participate three different wonderful events: “Fragments of Time," an original WriteOn Joliet radio theater production, held April 19 and April 20 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet, the Local Author Fair on April 27 at the Joliet Public Library, and Ye Olde May Fest, May 18 and 19, also at Bicentennial Park.

As a happy attendee and vendor at the last two "Shakespeare & Art In The Park" events, Rebekah and I were invited to take part in the planning committee this year for "Ye Olde May Fest."

We also oversaw TWO tents (BryonySeries and WriteOn Joliet) in the "Merry Merchant Row" during the actual event.

The outdoor medieval-type fair event featured a live Shakespeare play ("The Merry Wives of Windsor"), a large Maypole, parade of royalty, kids' make-n-take crafting kingdom, stockade, alchemist, archery, ax throwing, magician, Medievalist and his suit of armor, green screen magic with a castle and dragon courtesy of the Joliet Public Library, live music, and a community mural project, along with the vendors and food and drink for sale.

Now, we only sold one book over the two days. But the couple did walk over the river to an ATM and then back to Bicentennial Park just to buy it, so that made us feel good. And we also sold about a dozen mystery quote (otherwise called Word Music).

In fact, the only vendor that sold quite well was Cindy's crocheted Ribbit-Ribbits. 

And yet, I believe "Ye Old May Fest was wonderfully successful, and I truly hope Bicentennial Park repeats it next year. 

You see, while the event obviously catered to Shakespeare fans, it also catered to non-Shakespeare fans. One reason for "Ye Olde May Fest" was to introduce individuals and families to art and activities that might be unfamiliar to them.

For non-Shakespeare fans, "Ye Olde May Fest" was an event of discovery. For some, that also included discovering Bicentennial Park. For the vendors, it was an opportunity to let the community discover them.

Six of my grandchildren attended the event and had a fantastic time. Now before you think I'm embellishing, you should know they didn't actually enter the festival looking very excited. The fact they enjoyed it so much was, I'm sure, very much a surprise to them.

Don't believe me? Scroll through the photos and see!

The kids made floral wreaths, added their touches to a community mural, shot bows and arrows, discovered snakes, made fans, had fun with fantasy photos and green screens, participated in the coronation, explored the grounds and enjoyed the music.

Four grandchildren now want to attend archery camp this summer, and we are trying to make that happen for them. Two were enthralled by the play

One of my grandsons (who showed up in Rennaisance dress) was even loathe to leave. He said, "This is my happy place."

Happy, indeed!