27th Annual Medieval Festival in Ft. Tryon Park - October 2, 2011

Here ye! Here ye!

Come hither to Washington Height's crown jewel, Ft. Tryon Park & The Cloisters for the 27th Annual Medieval Festival on Sunday, October 2!

The festival will entertain and astound from 11:30AM-6PM. The festival is FREE (donations encouraged and accepted) and open to ladies, gentlemen and children of all ages.

On this day, the park is truly transformed. Walking through the entryway just past the Margaret Corbin circle is almost like taking a step back in time. Waaay back! The epic vistas in the park along with the stunning Cloisters help to make this one of the most unique events in all of Manhattan. The yearly festival is attended by as many as 40,000!

What will you find there?

• Medieval market featuring a bevy of craft items and other specialties, like swords
• Performers, guests and festival-goers dress in medieval costume
• Medieval music, dance, magic, and minstrels, as well as jugglers and jesters
• A bounty of food and drink vendors, including local restaurants

Also, according to a recent article in the Manhattan Times, "new events this year include an Austrian Village Forge where blacksmiths will hammer out swords and armour throughout the today, and a torchblower will hand-craft glass beads. Also new this year is the tale of Robin Hood as experience in a sword-to-sword combat in a classical tale of good triumphing over evil. Afterwards, children can meet Robin Hood, Maid Marion, and all of their friends."

And perhaps the best part: a joust between four knights on horseback!!! (Better arrive early for this one - the bleachers always fill up fast!)

HHG Blogger Melissa Moschitto (r) with Hudson Heights resident Liz Ritter (l) in costume at the 2010 Medieval Festival.

You can learn more about the amazing efforts to costume Festival performers and volunteers in this 2010 Manhattan Times article.

One other cool thing about this event? It's probably one of the greenest Medieval Festivals around! There's NO public parking so take the A train to 190th or mount the M4 bus. Both will take you directly to the entrance.

Have you been to the Festival? Or are you a first-time visitor? What are you looking forward to this year? Please share in the comments!

Anon!