 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Fantasy festival's weather not so fantastic
© St. Petersburg Times, WEEKI WACHEE -- Bill Schweiger claimed he wasn't hot, but by late Saturday morning his green broadcloth shirt, long brown pants and moccasins might be blamed for some of the moisture on his brow. That and the broken metal clasp on his sword's sheath were a source of frustration as he stopped walking to fix it among strolling families on their way to visit mermaids and water slides. His odd attire in this setting seemed like a perfect fit for organizers of the Renaissance and Fantasy Festival at Weeki Wachee Spring this weekend. Some potential participants might have thought otherwise. Blaming the heat and other problems, 17 vendors -- among them candle makers, incense burners and glass makers -- bagged the event at the last minute, leaving only about five booths to push their medieval wares. Then, because classes recently resumed, drama students from Springstead High School couldn't be organized in time to play villagers or create a "thieves' trail." Fiddling with his broken sheath before the first show Saturday, Schweiger wasn't up for any more problems. "Don't hassle me; I'm not in the mood for it," he told the sword. Looking up, he added: "Don't mind me. I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off." Despite some mishaps -- which Schweiger and other organizers with the Association of Medieval Weaponry and Self-Defense hope to avoid next year by convincing the park to schedule it later in the year -- about 70 spectators showed up for the morning's show to watch sword fights and Scottish Highlands dances. Schweiger displayed his steel sword at the show's start, and the association's jousters, including young children, used bamboo sticks during their matches. "Our queen is a little squeamish about blood," Schweiger said before the show. Between the sword fights, young Highlands dancers from Ocala, Gainesville and Fort Lauderdale graced the amphitheater's stage with high kicks and footwork atop crossed swords. "This is my third year," 7-year-old William Sim of Ocala said before his turn, explaining how long he's been dancing and why he wasn't nervous. Hands on hips in a green kilt and suspenders, William started out in step with his fellow performers. But soon he was standing still, scratching his head, having forgotten his steps. In the stands, his father, Paul Sim, watched and smiled, sure the spirited youth would not be traumatized by his mistake. His two daughters -Morgan, 14, and Ariel, 11 -- performed individual dances. His wife, Karen, was on the sidelines helping with the music and making sure William was suited up right. Paul Sim, whose great-great-grandfather immigrated from Scotland to Canada, moved in January with his family to Ocala from Alberta, Canada, where the troupe was accustomed to visiting Scottish Highlands events on a frequent basis. What they weren't used to was a Renaissance festival in Saturday's temperatures, which held in the 90s. "Well, most of our experience has been in Canada, so this is very hot," he said.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
|
