THIS IS THE LAST WEEKEND FOR PIRATE FEST 2018

The Tennessee Pirate Fest has one more weekend, Oct 20-21, from 11a-6p; rain or shine.  The location is 550 Fiske Rd, Harriman, TN, in north Harriman, near the Radio Control Airport.

“We had great entertainment this past weekend!  However, some people missed it.  GPS was incorrectly routing some cars across the river to Swan Pond / Happy Hollow, and Sunday started with light rain.  We have fixed the GPS problem by putting the festival marker at the end of Fiske Road.  We hope people with come out this weekend, rain or shine, and ‘Get their pirate on!’” said Barrie Paulson, VP-manager and entertainment director. 

This weekend the professional entertainment will include The Tortuga Twins (PG comedy show), Up Down Go (circus duo), and Blackbeard Simplified (interactive comedy).  

There will be live music by The CrossJacks (Pirate duo), Black Mass Hollow (Traditional/Celtic duo), and Vere Henry (steel drum).  Entertainment schedules will be available online and at the gate.  

Patrons of all ages can enjoy entering the Costume Contest, where prizes will be awarded by age group and based on audience applause.  Patrons can also share their talents in the Gong Shows to join a pirate crew.  There are also free beach games, photo ops, and the trick or treat Trail of Doom (PG) with humorous and slightly spooky pirate displays.  There are other games available for $1 each and a treasure map for $2. 

Interactive British and pirate characters help to create the fictional town of Port Royale in the Tortugas.  Costumed characters seek to entertain with children’s shows, a talent show, Kombat Kroquet, pirate school, Tales of the True Pyrates, and interactions with patrons.  

Available for purchase are unique crafts including leather, jewelry, bath and body items, candles, dragon eggs, hair accessories, embroidery, crochet, and caricature art.

Festival food includes BBQ pork, turkey legs, brats, hot dogs, gyros, homemade ice cream, and other desserts, and shaved ice.  Hot and cold beverages are also available, including beer (ages 21+ with valid ID).

Tickets are available at the gate for cash or credit.  Prices are $16 ages 13+, $8 ages 5-12, free for ages 4 and under.  

Patrons are encouraged to bring cash, as there is a $2 convenience fee per transaction for using credit, and there is no ATM onsite.  Free field parking is provided at the Radio Control Airport.  

Discounted rooms are available for pirate fans at Baymont Inn in Harriman.  Please call 865-590-9097 and use promo code LKDE.  

For safety reasons, festival rules include no loaded or sharp weapons, all steel weapons must be zip-tied, no pets (service animals only), and no outside food or drinks.  

For more information, please visit www.TNPirateFest.com, https://www.facebook.com/Tennesseepiratefest/, or call 865-376-0319.  

Live the Age of Chivalry at the Tennessee Medieval Faire - Audition Feb. 10th!

Open Auditions – February 10, 17 & 24
Vendors Needed – Deadline April 2

Darkhorse Entertainment, LLC, invites you to time-travel back to the Middle Ages at the fourth annual Tennessee Medieval Faire.  The festival is located in Harriman near I-40 just 30 miles west of Turkey Creek.  This rugged outdoor festival will spring to life on May 19 and run for three weekends, including Memorial Day.

“Our theme this year is Robin Hood, and patrons are invited to Live the Age of Chivalry in the High Middle Ages (circa 1194).  Patrons can interact with well-loved characters of Sherwood Forest, meet Maid Marian, and even get knighted,” said Barrie Paulson, VP-Manager and Entertainment Director.

The festival will include continuous professional family-friendly entertainment.  In the tournament arena will be Real Jousting and Warriors’ Chess, where the evil Sheriff of Nottingham and his henchmen square off against good Robin and his Merry Men.  There will also be interactive comedy shows, puppet shows, Irish and Celtic music, English folk dances, patron costume contests, and costumed street characters.  In addition, vendors will be selling medieval crafts, food and beverages, including beer.

  
For those interested in participating as street characters, open auditions are Saturday, February 10, 17 and 24, from 2-5pm at 125 Barrie Lane, Kingston, TN.  Auditioners are asked to come prepared to demonstrate their talents, for example:  sing, play an instrument, tell a story in character, dance, and participate improvisational games.  Adults (ages 18+) are preferred.  Experience and costumes are helpful, but not required to audition.  Professional acts can audition by emailing show details and a video link to DarkhorseLLC@comcast.net.

The Faire is also seeking vendors to help create the village.  Vendors must make and sell their own wares, and all work will be juried to ensure quality and fit.  The application deadline is April 2.  Medieval crafts may include leather, glass, wood, cloth, metal, henna, face-painting and hair-braiding.  Medieval foods may include turkey legs, gyros, dragon jerky, Scotch eggs, bread bowl soup, pastries, fruit and desserts.  Please visit www.TMFaire.com under the vendor tab to download the applications. 

The Tennessee Medieval Faire is a family-friendly outdoor festival.  Dates are May 19-20, 26-27-28, June 2-3.  Hours are 10am-5pm ET.  Ticket prices are $17 for ages 13+, $9 for ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and under.  Field parking is free.  The festival is located at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN. 

For more information, please visit www.TMFaire.com, find the Tennessee Medieval Faire on Facebook, or call 865-376-0319.

Contact:
Barrie Paulson
VP-Manager & Entertainment Director
DarkhorseLLC@comcast.net
c: 865-466-1902

Get Your Pirate On At The 1st Annual Pirate Fest - Harriman

"Ahoy, Matey"
Announcing 1st Annual

Tennessee Pirate Fest

Open Auditions Saturday 7/30 & 8/6

Seeking Vendors, Applications due 9/1

Darkhorse Entertainment, LLC, is announcing the first annual Tennessee Pirate Fest to be held on Columbus Day weekend in October. This family-friendly event will be in Harriman at the Tennessee Medieval Faire site--just 30 miles west of Turkey Creek. All are invited to the fictional pirate haven of Port Royale in the Tortugas, circa 1700-1800’s.

“The Pirates of the Caribbean movies are popular, and acting like a pirate is fun for all ages. ARRR!” said Barrie Paulson, VP-Manager & Entertainment Director.

Pirate entertainment will include live music, comedy stage shows, interactive street characters, costume contests, beach games, original crafts, delicious food, and refreshing beverages--including beer.

Open auditions for interactive street characters will be held on Saturdays, July 30 and August 6, from 2-5p, at 125 Barrie Ln, Kingston, TN. Auditions will include individuals demonstrating talents such as singing, playing an instrument, speaking like a pirate, telling jokes or tall tales, and participating in improvisational games. To audition, costumes are encouraged but not required, and performance experience is helpful but not necessary.

Festival organizers are seeking quality craft and food vendors to fill the village. Vendor applications and guidelines can be downloaded from the website www.TNPirateFest.com under the vendor tab. The application deadline is September 1st.

The Tennessee Pirate Fest will take place October 8-9-10 from 11a-6p ET--rain or shine. Ticket prices will be $13.00 for ages 13 and up, $8.00 for ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and under. Parking will be free, and tickets will be available for purchase at the gate with cash or credit. Onsite camping for patrons is not included, but public campgrounds and hotels are nearby. The festival is located at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN. For Faire rules, guidelines, and more information, please visit www.TNPirateFest.com; and “like” them on Facebook.

“Get Your Pirate On!”

The Tennessee Medieval Faire Memorial Day Weekend - 3 BIG DAYS!

Interview with Chad Wood

performing as King Arthur of Camelot

at the Tennessee Medieval Faire 2016

By Barrie Paulson, VP-Manager & Entertainment Director, Darkhorse Entertainment, LLC

(www.TMFaire.com, c: 865-466-1902, darkhorsellc@comcast.net)

“IT’S GOOD TO BE KING”

Q: What is the TN Medieval Festival like?

A:  If a patron walks through the gates, they enter a new world.  Characters take you to a distant time and place.  You see jousting, shows and entertainment wherever you go.  Master craftsmen showing off their wares….

Q: Since you live and perform in Knoxville, how would you explain to someone in Knoxville why they should go?

A:  It’s a good time.  It’s one of those experiences that you won’t know unless you go.  You have to come and see to appreciate what it really is.

Q:  Tell us a little more about yourself as an actor.

A:  I’ve been acting since I was able to walk.  I’m an adopted son of Knoxville and have been in the Knoxville theatre scene for a decade.

Q:  Can you tell us a little about the Knoxville theatre scene?

A:  Knoxville embraces its artists.  The theatre community is tight and small.  But I have never gone without a production to go to or a performance to be in.  That’s a wonderful thing about Knoxville.

Q:  How did you get the role of King Arthur?

A:  My good friend, Alex Riggs, told me there was an audition for King Arthur of Camelot for the Tennessee Medieval Faire.  I had also worked for the festival production company a few years ago, when they were doing props and sets.  I also have several years of stage combat experience, taught by Bob Borwick of the Society of American Fight Directors at Pellissippi State “the Success Connection.” (he sings).  I got to know the entertainment director, Barrie, from fight class.  She helped with the class and was there as a talent scout.  I auditioned and got the part.

Q:  What’s being the street character of King Arthur like?

A:  It’s a dream role for me.  I jumped at the chance.  It’s been a whirlwind experience and life-changing.

Q:  How has it been “life-changing”?

A:  I can see how one can become an actor and sell themselves.  To take a character from the stage to when you are interacting all day and not break character.

Q:  Compare it a little more to being a stage actor.

A:  It’s totally different than being on stage.  As a stage actor, when you go back stage, you are who you are and take a break.  As a street character, I find I’m staying in character on and off stage.  

Q: Yes, I heard you commanded the Producer/President to bow to you off stage.  You might not want to do that again.

A: Oh, yes, I did do that, didn’t I? (laughs)

Q: Do you feel this experience has made you a better actor?

A:  Yes, I feel I’m a better actor now.  Being a street character has freed me to improve my improv skills (not having everything scripted).  When someone asks me a question as King Arthur, I have to give them a response that they believe and that I believe.

Q:  Has it gotten easier to respond in character?

A:  Yes, we’ve had 4 shows days out of 7.  At first I had to think as my character.  Now I don’t have to think about it--I am the King.  And, it’s good to be the King.

Q:  What’s been your favorite thing about the Faire?

A:  My favorite thing about the Faire is seeing the light in the children’s eyes when they see me, as King Arthur, and Guinevere walking together.  Also the daily public Knighting Ceremony at 3:30.  These things spark the children’s’ imagination and interest.  It shows them that not everything is video games and movies, but reaching out and talking to the King and Queen as real people.

Q:  On Sunday, an actor had dragon puppet on strings and walked up to patrons and interacted with them.  A 2 or 3 year old girl bent down, petted and hugged it.  It was a beautiful moment.

A:   Yes, there are countless moments like this at the Faire.  Once the gate opens, Magic Happens!

Q:  How has attendance been so far?

A:  It’s been good but we hope to have a great final weekend because the show is really great.  We think the variable weather, other events, and bridgework between Kingston and Harriman has kept some away so far.  But, on the weekends, the bridgework is only a minor inconvenience and it is supposed to be finished this week.  We hope people will come and support the show, so it can continue.  I hear once these shows catch on, they really become popular.   

Q:  You have one more weekend?  Would you share some information?

A:  Yes, our last weekend is this Saturday through Monday of Memorial Day, May 28-29-30.  Hours 10a-5p ET.  Tickets are $16.95 ages 13+, $8.95 ages 5-12.  Free ages 4 and under, and free parking.  They accept cash/credit at the front ticket house.  The event is open rain or shine.  For your comfort and safety, dress for the outdoors and wear comfortable shoes, weapons must be sheathed and zip-tied, service animals only, no outside alcohol.  Site address is 550 Fiske Rd, Harriman, TN.  Website is www.TMFaire.com.  Office number is 865-248-8414.

Q:  Anyone you’d like to thank?

A:  Yes!  Specifically the jousters, the Hanlon-Lees Action Theatre, and all the premier stage entertainment.  They are showing us “locals” how it’s really done.  I’d also like to thank Lars and Barrie Paulson of Darkhorse Entertainment, LLC, for producing the show based on their life-time of entertainment experience.  Lars had a vision of creating a high quality interactive environment that is the TN Medieval Faire.    Many of us see that vision and are helping to make it a reality. 

“Camelot Lives!”  HUZZAH!  

##

Camelot Lives at the Tennessee Medieval Faire

2016 Faire Seeks Performers at 

the February 20 & 27 Auditions 

Darkhorse Entertainment, LLC invites you to live the legend of Camelot at the second annual Tennessee Medieval Faire.  The festival will come to life on May 14 and run the last three weekends in May, including Memorial Day, in Harriman, TN.

This year’s festival is portraying the historical year of 500 after the fall of the Roman Empire.  During this time of chaos, King Arthur of Britain is creating peace and celebrating his wedding with a spring festival.  Everyone is invited.

“Feel transported to a more innocent time of chivalry and gallantry,” said Lars Paulson, President-Manager.  “Escape from everyday life and visit a realm of fun and adventure.”

Visitors can cheer on their favorite knight at the live-action jousts, laugh with comedic characters and thrill to warriors’ chess.  Guests can meet King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and Merlin.  People of all ages can enjoy comedy stunt shows and live Celtic music as well as join in English folk dance and games.  High-quality Medieval crafts, food, and beverages (including beer) will be available.

The Grand Opening of the Tennessee Medieval Faire in 2015 hosted 6,000 patrons, 100 participants and 28 vendors.  Now in its second year, the Faire is seeking additional actors and vendors to help it grow.

For those interested participating as street characters, auditions are Saturday, February 20 & 27, from 2-5 pm at 125 Barrie Lane, Kingston, TN.  Auditions consist of performing individual talents and participating in improvisational games.  Experience and costumes are helpful, but not required.  Auditions can also be done online by sending a short video to DarkhorseLLC@comcast.net.

The application deadline is April 1 for those interested in being vendors.  Medieval crafts may include leather, glass, wood, cloth and metal; foods may include turkey legs, gyros, dragon jerky, bread bowl soup, pastries, fruit and desserts.  Vendors must make and sell their own wares, and all work will be juried.  Please visit www.TMFaire.com for applications and guidelines under the vendor tab.

The 2016 Tennessee Medieval Faire will run for seven show days on May 14-15, 21-22, 28-29-30.  Hours are 10am-5pm EDT.  Tickets may be purchased at the gate with cash or credit cards.  

Prices are $16.95 for ages 13 and up, $8.95 for ages 5 to 12, free for ages 4 and under.  

Free parking is included.  

The permanent festival site is located at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN.
  

For more information, please visit www.TMFaire.com or like them on Facebook.

Vendor Application Deadline is April 1

Camelot Lives!

Check out last year's photos:

The Royal Joust

Taso Stavrakis with Hanlon-Lees Action Theater

Photo ©2015 Pamela Morgan — at Texas Renaissance Festival.

https://www.facebook.com/jousters/photos/pb.194719148335.-2207520000.1455742915./10153158026333336/?type=3&theater

Warriors’ Chess Match

(L) “French Duke Francis de Valois” (Thomas Crout)

(R) “English Queen Catherine of Aragon” (Debi Wetherington)

Photo 2015 by Eric Williams Photography – at the Tennessee Medieval Faire

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124301783@N02/17685106343/in/album-72157653701628786/

Belly Dancing Stage Entertainment

“Shazia” with Albi Belly Dance of Knoxville

Photo 2015 by Eric Williams Photography – at the Tennessee Medieval Faire

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124301783@N02/18117860498/in/album-72157653701628786/

The 2015 Faire as shot by Paul Mashburn -  

https://www.flickr.com/photos/23056599@N00/albums/72157652235135938

Let's Talk 16th Entertainment And The Tennessee Medieval Faire

What a wonderful century it was!  It was chock full of notables, with Henry VIII a.k.a. Hans Holbein the Younger, King of England at the top of the list, but it also included, Charles V (King of Spain) Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Frances Drake, Ivan the Terrible, Nostradamus, and a cast of hundreds of other familiar names you would remember from school, but that would take much too long to document here.  Just Google the 16th Century!

It was a glorious time for Knights, Maidens, Kings, Queens, and all those it took to keep the lot happy!  A grand time, if you liked wielding a sword, on or off a horse, or a lance with a blunted tip while riding a horse, wearing a hundred pound suit of armour!  Some did, and some still do!  You'll see it done live soon!

Unfortunately, the 16th Century was also filled with diseases, or as they called them, plagues; most gone today, or at least called by more scientific names!  You had your smallpox (1507), the Great Plague (1510), the Sweating Sickness (1517), and the Dancing Plague (1518...yes, look it up).

 

 

 

So, with all that exploring and death going on, the people needed entertainment, and there were many days devoted to feasting, such as Mad Day, Midsummer Day, and Ascension Day (just to name a few), when people would drink and make merry.  Dances were popular, whether you lived in London or in a small town, and so was getting together at the local pub for sing-alongs.

We're going to have a "special day" too...FAIRE day!

 

 

 

 

During times of plague outbreaks, theatre was outlawed, but normally this type of entertainment was favored.  Actors will soon roam the Roane County country side performing "joust" for you!

However, I suppose jousting rings a bell in most people's mind as the very best fun one could have in that day; either performing in a tournament yourself, or watching others risk life and limb while charging forward on thundering hooves and poking large tree branches at your opponent! 

 

 

 

You'll see that kind of mayhem and more at the Tennessee Medieval Faire, during the three weekends ahead in May!  Mark your calender now for either the weekend of May 16-17, May 23-24-25 (Memorial Day weekend), or May 30-31.  However, I'll be you'll want to come all three weekends!

This is the GRAND OPENING of the faire.  They aren't going anywhere; they are here to stay...with your help.  As you can see in my photographs, it is being constructed as a permanent site.  This is not a one time thing!

 

It is hoped that this family-fun site will bring tourist in from all over the country.  It was planned to be a "big deal", and Lars and Barrie Paulson have chosen Harriman, but more importantly Roane County, to be the home of this endeavor.  As you will see soon (last 3 weekends in May), a lot of hard work has gone into the planning and building of this facility.  Much remains to be done, but this is the beginning!

 

 

 

 

 

The facility will bring tourist money into the area, jobs to the surrounding counties, and just plain fun...we need more fun!  So please go out and support The Tennessee Medieval Faire...it will profit us all in some way.  Thanks.

I got a sneak peek at the Tennessee Medieval Faire grounds Saturday, when a "media day" was held.  It's located at 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN.  Click the link for more information.  Tickets can be bought on site, as a matter of fact, the new entrance and ticket kiosks are nearing completion now.

The entire "faire" area is surrounded by an 8' wooden fence.  Besides the site's kiosks, pub stands, stages, and jousting arena, the fence is expected to enclose numerous vendor kiosks, for food, music, crafts, and etc.

 

Let me stress right now, that there are two main locations you need to know and and remember; the port-a-potties, and the BEER stand*!  It's probably going to be hot and dusty, like it was Saturday, so it's important to find these locations immediately upon arrival.  The potties are in several different locations, but unless other vendors come to sell beer, you need to remember the "faire's" primary location!  (*Hint: it's East of the "Tournament Arena")

 

 

 

 

I had a great time at the "media day", eating food, refreshing my thirst, and doing my favorite thing: snapping photographs!  All the characters were "in character" and, try as I might, I could not get one of them to speak to me in East Tennessean!  It was either "merry ol'" English, French, or Irish!  Seriously, I imagine that they now go home and speak in character with their families.

Did I mention that there will be BEER, food, beer, music, beer, and crafts at the faire?  Well, there will be, plus a day full of entertaining singing, plays, sword fights, and jousting...oh, the JOUSTING, is awesome!

 

 

The jousting comes especially for us from The Hanlon-Lees Action Theatre, and actors/jousters Taso Stavrakis, and Kent Shelton.  These two guys amazed me with their fearless charges at each other on horseback!  The crack of the lance snapping is worth the ticket price to me!

 

The ticket prices, by the way, are $14.95 for adults, $7.95 of children, and those under 5 get in free!  It will be a wonder to watch your 5 year-old's eyes widen, as the horses thunder across the arena with a "Knight In Shining Armour" on their backs!  This is why they call it "fun for the entire family" and a new tradition "joust" for you!

A couple of my other favorite characters (besides the knights) were:

 

 

Professor Brent McDeWitt, who will be running the "Punch And Judy Show" on site, as well as generally walking around representing the "faire".  He is a great guy, and I locked "ear to mouth" for a long time listening to his Irish brouge (a true one, incidentally).  What a great life he seems to lead; traveling the world doing shows everywhere with his "puppet" performance, and his beloved "Cheeko The Clown" act!  The places he's been and seen, and now he's in Harriman!

 

Corey Jones, because he is my all time favorite actor from RSCC stage plays, and just because I like Corey...always have!  He just happens to be the Faire's Henry VIII, and while he doesn't look the "old fat man" with gout part, as pictured in the history books, he does play the role to the hilt!  There were shouts of "beer and food" for everyone, which will probably grow in frequency once the activities begin next Saturday!  It's good to be the king!

And, as his fortune would have it, he has a beautiful leading queen in Debi Weatherington, playing his wife as Queen Catherine of Aragorn.  She, as did the real queen, seemed to keep things in order around the faire site.

There is a long list of "Royal Players", acts, and characters on The Tennessee Medieval Faire website and I tried to include as many as possible in this post (see bottom of post), but I think there were a few missing, but never fear, they will all be present come "faire" day!  Check out their "gallery" for more photos of actors and players.

LET ME REITERATE...there will be beer, sodas, water, food, entertainment, and most just family fun.  It will probably be hot, so think about sunscreen and maybe an umbrella...stay hydrated!

Remember, it's JOUST for you, so have loads of fun!

CLICK HERE FOR A GOOGLE MAP of HOW TO GET THERE!  Or put 550 Fiske Road, Harriman, TN, into your GPS device.

And lastly, here again are the dates:

May 16-17

May 23-24-25

May 30-31

...and PARKING IS FREE!

Look for a 4-page advertising spread in the Roane County NEWS Friday.  More information, photos, and games for the kids!

Here are a few more photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GO SEE THEM ALL!