Renaissance fair conjures Old World
Savannah Rapids Pavilion became a little of the Old World in the New World last weekend at Columbia County's seventh annual Arts and Renaissance Festival.
Bryan Cannata, a blacksmith with the Society for Creative Anachronism, demonstrates knife-making during the Columbia County Arts and Renaissance Festival at the Savannah Rapids Pavilion.
Photo by J. Scott Trubey
Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism lent authenticity to the festival with their demonstrations of blacksmithing, candlemaking, weaving, dance and music.
"This is the first outdoor Renaissance festival the county has ever hosted," said Sandy Boner, the manager of the Savannah Rapids Pavilion. "Medieval and Renaissance festivals are always a fun time for children."
"The magic, the fairies, the mystery (of that time period) is exciting for everyone," said Stacie Atkins community events manager for the county.
On Saturday, festivalgoers were treated to performances by the 4-H Singers, Kaitlyn Dunaway, the Children's Musical Theatre Ensemble and the Augusta Dance Theatre.
There also were performances by the Harlem Drama Club and roaming entertainment throughout the park.
On Sunday, Celtic fiddler Liz Knowles performed classical Irish folk music. A late addition to the festival, Knowles was a soloist with the Ensemble Galilei in New York City and a soloist for two years with the Irish dance production Riverdance.
Columbia County Arts Inc. kicked off the weekend with its juried art show. Bob Poe, an associate professor of art at Lander University in South Carolina, served as juror for the show and selected winners from 75 entries representing 31 local artists.
"Genesis! The Second Day," a mixed media-fiber art piece entered by Paula Brown, was judged best-in-show and won top prize of $550, said Barry Smith, Columbia County's director of Community and Leisure Services.
There were $300 prizes for first place in each of the seven media categories and a people's choice award, he said. Two honorable-mention winners received $125, Smith said.
The Behind the Masque performance troupe provided fortune-tellers, belly dancers, stilt walkers and music.
The proceeds from reception admission fee and a silent auction will benefit Columbia County Arts, Inc., and should help to provide more professional entertainment next year, Atkins said.