Students, faculty and alumni dressed in Renaissance costumes, fenced, danced, performed in plays and even competed in unicycle jousting last weekend as part of the 40th annual Whitman Renaissance Faire. Over two dozen merchants also participated in this year’s Faire.
Each year the Renaissance Faire committee, composed of around 20 Whitman students, organizes the Faire with funding from ASWC.
According to senior Brittin Borland, chair of the committee, this year’s Faire differed from the previous ones in that there were more interactive activities, including medieval combat demonstrations and English folk dancing lessons. The Faire committee also used its funds to bring performers to Whitman for the event, such as Mossyback Morris Men: a dance troupe that attends many Renaissance Faires.
“This year we’re trying to make the Renfaire experience more interactive for students that are passing through,” she said.
Borland also noted that more students were involved this year than in previous years and that there were more people in costume. Borland credits Whitman students for the unique atmosphere of the Whitman Faire compared to other faires.
“The students at Whitman give our Renaissance Faire its unique character. We like to host a kind of ‘mellow’ faire: We let things sprawl, and there isn’t so much going on that it becomes chaotic or too loud,” she said.
Senior Jackson Cahn, who is in charge of publicity for the Faire, says approximately 50 to 60 Whitman students participated in Faire events this year.
First-year Andrew Spickert participated in the unicycle jousting at this year’s Faire. Although he had never done unicycle jousting before, Spickert enjoyed the enthusiasm of the crowd.
“It’s fun to have all the people and all the vendors here. Everyone is really excited,” he said.
According to Cahn, the committee was concerned that there would not be as many vendors this year due to the poor economy. Yet there actually was an increase in the number of vendor applications this year. However, the Faire had difficulty finding a metal smith to come to campus, as there was a welding conference in the Northwest that prevented many metal workers from attending.
The Faire committee confronted many difficulties of organizing such a large event at Whitman. In order to prepare for the event, the committee got permission from Walla Walla to close down Boyer Avenue, certified the fights with the Whitman Safety Office, and contacted the city health department regarding vendor certification, among other tasks.
“The number one difficulty is organization, just because of the sheer scale of the event. We have about 40 merchants, half a dozen musical groups, skits, kids’ activities, and we need to make sure that everyone is where they need to be,” said Cahn.
Assistant Professor of History Brien Garnand played the role of “king” of the Renaissance Faire this year. As king, he participated in the plays and walked around the Faire to talk with visitors. After attending the Renaissance Faire in the past, Garnand decided to get involved.
“Last year at the Faire I saw some of my students in dramatic performances and in fencing demonstrations. This year a couple of them roped me in, but I went willingly,” he said.
Whitman students interested in becoming involved with the committee that organizes the Renaissance Faire should contact Cahn.
