St Ives Medieval Faire

Overview

Lords, ladies, history buffs and fantasy fans alike, rejoice: St Ives' fully immersive medieval fair is returning for a fifth year. The weekend festival will transform St Ives Showground into Medieval Europe with immersive encampments which represent seven centuries of history: the Vikings, Byzantines, Crusades, the Hundred Years War, the Wars of the Roses and into the 17th Century.

To complete the experience, a plethora of historical recreations will take place including the only solid lance jousting event in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring European and Australian jousting masters — yes, people still joust. The program also includes a Trebuchet catapult, markets, traditional folk music, longbow archery demonstrations and displays in which trained birds of prey recreate the medieval practice of hawking and falconry.

If all that makes you thirsty, grab a serve of mead or a custom ale inspired by female jousting champion Lady Caroline from Victorian craft beer legends Two Birds.

You also have the option to upgrade your ticket to the VIP Royal Court Experience ($95). Guests will be escorted by a horse-drawn carriage to a kingly, long table meal serving roast suckling pig, parsnip pies, spatchcock and other old world delicacies. The public is encouraged to come in costume, so polish your armour, don your finest cloak and prepare for a weekend of royal revelry. See you thither.

St Ives Medieval Faire takes place September 22–23. Tickets range from $45 for one day to $63 for the full weekend. For further program information and to purchase tickets, visit the website.