Medieval Gathering Slated for Saturday at Wessington Springs City Park
Experience a reenactment of medieval times plus a variety of demos and classes at Wessington Springs City Park and the field house on Saturday, July 23, for Midsummer’s Eve Academy of Arts and Sciences. Activities like scrollwork, wire ring making, metal embroidery, fiber felting and nature drawing will take place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Also learn about the origin of firearms and delve into the history of trebuchets and chain mail.
The Society for Creative Anachronism, an international network of people interested in reenactment of pre-1600s life, is hosting the day’s events. Period dress, early medieval music and more will set the mood for Midsummer’s Eve in the Kingdom of Northshield, which encompasses north central North America. Twenty kingdoms worldwide make up the society.
“Unlike a Renaissance Fair, SCA activities aren’t just something you come to watch, they’re something you actively do,” says the society’s website, www.sca.org. At right is the full schedule of sessions and times.
New Northshield royalty were named in spring 2022 after winning an armored combat Crown Tournament and are expected to make an appearance in Wessington Springs this weekend. Armored combat and rapier combat exhibitions are also on the agenda.
Drop in any time on Saturday to chat with society members, visit a class and find out what historical reenactment is all about.
Midsummer’s Eve Academy of Arts and Sciences Schedule of Sessions
8-10 a.m. Goldwork/Metal Embroidery
8 a.m.-12 p.m. Bookbinding
9:30 a.m. Coffee: The Wine of Islam
10-11 a.m. Wire Ring Making
10-11 a.m. Origins of the Firearm
10 a.m.-12 p.m. History of European Embroidery
10 a.m.-12 p.m. Nature/Flower Drawings
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Basic Scrollwork: Illumination
1-2 p.m. Intro to Period Pigments
1-2 p.m. Overview of Combat Arts
1-4 p.m. Fiber Felting
1:30-3 p.m. Pewter Class
2-3 p.m. Early Medieval Music
2-3 p.m. Trebuchet Overview
3-4 p.m. Soap Making
Recurring Chain Mail Demos