On an overcast morning, prop weapons and set pieces were hurriedly rushed inside the Great Hall from Hoyt Lawn while rain poured down. Despite the weather, this year’s MedFest, Drew’s own renaissance fair, brought a variety of exciting acts to enthused attendants. From a play in five parts to a woman balancing 17 swords on herself while doing a headstand, there was no lack of thrill.
That Medieval Thing is Drew’s medieval reenactment club, putting on two shows a year with staged fights and court intrigue. In addition to the production, which included duels, a lion fight and plenty of drama, S.W. Bowne was full of student vendors selling various wares. Crocheted dragons and frogs, handmade jewelry and personalized, improvised poems were all available for purchase at this year’s MedFest.
Dating back over 35 years, MedFest has grown and developed since its inception. Despite any changes, many alumni still come back to Drew for the event every year. Diane Simpson (C’90) was at this year’s event, along with two of her classmates, to see her daughter perform. For Simpson, she’s enjoyed “seeing how [MedFest has] grown and morphed into something more than it was before,” and said it was the camaraderie of the event that keeps bringing people back.
In between the acts of That Medieval Thing’s play, other performers took the stage to entertain. Bardy Pardy, a musical trio group, had two sets over the course of the day. In a bardic manner, they mixed storytelling with music, performing a variety of pieces, from tavern songs to a cover of The Magnetic Field’s “The Book of Love.”
The other main act was “Pyro Bellydancer” Emily Quant. Although the fire aspect was limited due to having to be inside, her performance still included tricks with whips and balancing swords on herself. As the final part of her show, she did a headstand on a table, while balancing 17 real, sharpened steel swords on herself, which drew much applause from the audience.
After songs had been sung, swords had been balanced and the fifth act had ended with a feudal overlord overthrown, this year’s MedFest came to its close, and the countdown until fall, when the swords will once again clash, began.
Nathan Moldover is a first-year double majoring in political science and philosophy and minoring in law, justice and society.