Free Photos With Sir Bertrand (and more gifts)

Stop at the BryonySeries booth during the 2025 Ye Olde May Fest this weekend and get a free photo with Sir Bertrand in his Renaissance Faire costume!

Ye Old May Fest will fun from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 31 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 1 at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre, located at 201 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet.

We will also have information for a free quest you can take during the event. When completed, return to the BryonySeries booth for a free gift.

 In addition, the first twenty-five attendees on each day to this family-friendly event will receive a FREE copy of "Bertrand's Shakespeare ABCs."

We will also have a limited amount of copies for sale at the BryonySeries booth during May Fest and at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

And of course, you can always purchase "Bertrand's Shakespeare ABCs" on Amazon and other online retailers.

For more Shakespeare fun, attendees may also enjoy FREE Shakespeare performances, starting Friday night and ending Sunday afternoon.

Need more information? Visit bicentennialpark.org.

 

Bertrand's Shakespeare ABCs

On March 31, I shared some details on Bertrand the Mouse's photo shoot for a new book.

Well, not only is the book available, we will be giving away fifty copies of "Bertrand's Shakespeare ABCs" at the 2025 Ye Olde May Fest event at the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet.

But wait! There's more! (keep scrolling).

Here is the book's synopsis:

Learn the ABCs of Shakespeare with Bertrand the Mouse. Bertrand sets the stage to understanding
Shakespeare by posing in scenes that correlates with alphabetically arranged elements of the works of
William Shakespeare.

The 2025 Ye Olde May Fest event will run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 31 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 1 at 201 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet.

The first twenty-five attendees on each day to this family-friendly event will receive a FREE copy of "Bertrand's Shakespeare ABCs."

We will also have a limited amount of copies for sale at the BryonySeries booth during May Fest and at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

And of course, you can always purchase "Bertrand's Shakespeare ABCs" on Amazon and other online retailers.

Now please enjoy a brief sample: the letters "s" and "j"."

S is for SWORDFIGHT.

Shakespeare’s plays have many swordfights.

J is for JEWELS.

Shakespeare uses jewels in his plays to describe beauty, value, and character.

See you at Ye Olde May Fest!

(Bertrand the Mouse poses with Cindy at the 2024 Ye Olde May Fest wearing his crocheted medieval costume and sword she made just for him).

"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!

Ye Olde May Fest

Today's blog is "sponsored" by the Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre in Joliet, who wrote the promo for this event far more eloquently than I could.

So I'm bringing it here to you today (with slight modifications) for your reading today and (hopefully) attending pleasure this weekend.

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.

Yes, we participated among our jobs, all the illnesses this year, and while working on WriteOn Joliet's radio play this year of this greatly expanded event. And we were honored to help!

We are very excited for this weekend and not just because we were a small part of making it happen, and will be overseeing TWO tents (BryonySeries and WriteOn Joliet) in the "Merry Merchant Row."

We are excited because it looks amazing, and we can wait for the magic and fun to unfold.

Perhaps we will see you there!

And now, for the details...

ADMISSION

FREE to Fest and Shows!

Here ye, here ye! Let it be known far and wide "Ye Olde May Fest" beckons thee for revelry, feasting and discovery to fill even an ol' Bard with glee. (Rumor has it his "Merry Wives of Windsor" will be in town for the special occasion!)

All ages, peasants and nobles shall rub elbows at this grand event where mirth awaits at every turn. Best of all, entry to the pageantry shall not cost you even a pence.

Come clad in Renaissance attire, as we gather for the royal parade each day. Who, amidst our noble throng, shall be hailed as the fairest? Whose valor and virtue shall earn the knighthood's accolade? Come forth, fair citizens!

Come one, come all to experience the magic of the (new) "Ye Olde May Fest!"

Event sponsored by STRANGE & UNUSUAL GALLERY (downtown Joliet)

SATURDAY, MAY 18

11 a.m.  Fest opens!

Maypole, Merry Merchant Row, Kids' Crafting Kingdom, Stockade, Community Mural, Scavenger Hunt, Air Brush Tattoo Artist, D&D game guru, Royal Throne Photo Op, Food & Spirits.

11 a.m. Alchemist (pavilion)

11:30 a.m. Maypole Dancing (by fountain)

Noon Flutist Sir Joey (pavilion)

Noon MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (bandshell, hill seating)

2:30 p.m. Maypole Dancing

3 p.m. Royal Parade & Coronation of Guests (pavilion)

SPECIAL ANNONCEMENT: JOLIET'S 1st POET LAUREATE!

3:30 p.m.  Flutist Sir Joey (pavilion)

5 p.m. Flutist Sir Joey (pavilion)

6 p.m. Royal Parade & Coronation of Guests (pavilion)

7 p.m.  MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (bandshell, hill seating)

10 p.m. Fest bids all a good night!

SUNDAY. MAY 19

11:00a Fest opens!

Archery (courtesy of Bow Doc), Ax Throwing, Green Screen Wizardry, Maypole, Merry Merchant Row, Kids' Crafting Kingdom, Stockade, Community Mural, Scavenger Hunt, Air Brush Tattoo Artist, D&D game guru, Royal Throne Photo Op, Food & Spirits.

11 a.m. Eric of Campbell & his cigar box guitar (pavilion)

11 a.m. Green Screen Wizardry by Joliet Public Library (lobby)

11:30 a.m. El Mago Magical Wizard (pavilion)

Noon: Royal Parade & Coronation of Guests (pavilion) followed by

Maypole Dancing (by fountain)

12:30 p.m. Medievalist Xander Sobecki & His Suit of Armor (pavilion)

1 p.m. El Mago Magical Wizard

1:30 p.m. Eric of Campbell on his cigar box guitar (pavilion)

2 p.m. MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (bandshell, hill seating)

3 p.m. Medievalist Xander Sobecki & His Suit of Armor (pavilion)

4:30 p.m. Eric of Campbell (R. Metz) on his cigar box guitar (pavilion)

5 p.m. Fest bids farewell 'til next year!

ABOUT

"Shakespeare & Art In The Park" from previous years has gone through a renaissance the whole family will enjoy! So, what's new? More activities for more ages! We've broaden the appeal to even non-Shakespeare fans . . .yet.

The outdoor grounds will take on the look of an outdoor medieval fair featuring a large Maypole, parade of royalty, kids' make-n-take crafting kingdom, stockade (next to the kids' area, of course!) alchemist, archery, ax throwing, magician, Medievalist and his suit of armor, green screen magic with a castle and dragon, community mural project (add your touch!), live music, merchants, food and refreshments.

The featured live Shakespearian play will still hold court, of course!

Moved to the large bandshell stage, patrons may enjoy lawn seating on the lush hill. Hence, the ol' "Shakespeare & Art In The Park" has been newly knighted "Ye Olde May Fest" in 2024.

MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

May 18 (Saturday) 3 and 7 p.m.

May 19 (Sunday) 2 p.m.

Bring blankets and chairs for hill seating by the bandshell for one of Shakespeare's favorite comedies! Falstaff decides to fix his financial woe by seducing the wives of two wealthy merchants. The wives find he sent them identical letters and take revenge by playing tricks on Falstaff when he comes calling.

FREE PARKING

South of the Jefferson Street bridge (immediate right before crossing) and off the Cass Street bridge (immediate left after crossing).

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The play will be moved indoors to the theatre.

CONTACT

bipark@joliet.gov

815-724-3761

INFORMATION

bicentennialpark.org