Open Fields Medieval Festival 2011 ~ Saturday, May 28
Every two years, the Thetford Hill Green comes alive with the sights and sounds of a Medieval village. A King and Queen, knights and ladies, peasants, craftsmen, and farmers gather together to celebrate the age via music, dance, games of skill and chance, authentic food, parades, recitation, and feats of juggling and acrobatics. Won't you join us this year by attending, becoming a sponsor, or both?
Schedule of events
- 10.00 AM ~ Festival opens
- 11.00 AM ~ Storytelling with Simon Brooks under The Great Canopy
- 12.00 PM ~ Fencing Demonstration / Instruction
- 1.00 PM ~ Procession of the King and Queen with Plays, Singing, and Dancing
- 2.00 PM ~ Fencing Demonstration / Instruction
- 3.00 PM ~ Raptor Encounter with VINS under The Great Canopy
- 4.00 PM ~ Festival ends
Throughout the day, enjoy music, dancing, games, storytelling, food, sword play, demonstrations, crafts, animals, revelry, parades, and a host of colorfully costumed peasants and noble-folk.
Play your part
Come dressed in medieval garb. Bring your own mug and napkin, or rent them at the festival for $1 (our last festival generated only one bag of trash for the entire event!). Your admission includes a "starter" quantity of beans (the currency of the realm) with which you can purchase food and participate in games and events. For those who wish to do so, more beans can be purchased throughout the event.
Help make this a GREEN event,
and bring your own mug and napkin
or rent a mug at the food booth.
Admission and directions
- $5 per person or $20 per family
- FREE admission for ages 5 and under
The Thetford Hill Green is located at the intersection of Route 113 and Academy Road, right across from Open Fields School. Visit our Directions page for more details.
Royal thanks to our volunteers and sponsors
All of this is made possible by a host of tireless volunteers who contribute everything from program development to publicity to sewing to set up and clean up. We simply could not do this without your help.
Our thanks also go to the students and families of the Open Fields School, our friends and the community of the Upper Valley, Revels North, the Parish Players, the Theatre Department of Thetford Academy, and the following generous sponsors:
- Realtors Shelley & Sam for the VINS Raptors
- Big Jack and his Family for Simon Brooks Storytelling
- ThoughtMap (Thetford Center, VT)
- Doug's Exit 19 Sunoco (Lebanon, NH)
- Feller Family
- Fine Plan Professional Corp. (White River Junction, VT)
- Hastings Chiropractic (White River Junction, VT)
- Mary Layton
- James Predmore, DDS
- Tirna Designs, LLC (East Burke, VT)
- Watson's Automotive (East Thetford, VT)
- Wells River Savings (Wells River, VT)
- Anonymous Open Fields Families
- thanks to our guests from Cedar Circle Farm
If you're interested in volunteering or sponsorting this event, please contact us!
Medieval Festivals of Yore
Our previous Medieval Festivals have been a lot of fun. Take a look for yourself!