Trisha Shanks
Arrow Lakes News
The August long weekend is commonly reserved for the annual slow-pitch tournament however, this year it will be also be remembered as the weekend Nakusp went back in time.
Nakusp Medieval Society (NMS), formed in 2014 to host this event, is partnering with the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) for a festival like no other. The festivities will centre on a mock war to take place between the Kingdom of Avacal (eastern B.C. and Alberta) and the Principality of Tir Righ (western B.C. and northern Washington.) The war is won for honours and features armoured knights with swords and shields.
History class may have been boring for some, but for others it was a time when their imaginations came alive. Ancient traditions hold mass appeal and are being upheld today all over the world in different ways. There are great numbers of people who even choose to relive history on weekends, in full regalia and with all of the social etiquette to boot. The SCA is one of these organizations and they are coming to Nakusp in huge numbers this summer.
Weekend participants will recreate life from the middle ages including a realistic medieval encampment, a village square market and displays where guests can learn about historic trades, arts, medicine and general way of life from the costumed participants. There will be historically accurate items for sale, wandering musicians, a historical fashion show and the menu is in keeping with the period. Organizers expect as many as 500 SCA members coming from the Lower Mainland, Washington State, and Alberta. Medieval costumes are not compulsory but visitors are encouraged dress up to have even more fun.
Plans are in the final stages for the event’s location at an 80-acre site on the Hot Springs Rd, (Sun Lodge Farms, or the old Coates farm.) There will be a call out to local artisans and food vendors who must adhere to the time period and be in costume. To add to the authenticity, there will be no electrical power on the site.
The NMS, a non-profit organization, has a six-member volunteer board, three of which were involved with the Nakusp Music Festival, to bring their expertise to the event. They have already secured $7,000 in seed funding and will be setting up a temporary office with two office staff on Broadway.
Continuing to seek sponsors, they say additional donors are always welcome. Five dollar memberships to the society will go on sale at the same time as ticket sales start. Tickets will be on sale mid-March on the website www.medievaldays.ca. In addition, the group has a Facebook page — Nakusp Medieval Days.