Whitsuntide: A Medieval Faire

Greetings people of Acre and neighboring East Kingdom lands! Join us on Saturday, May 30th as we celebreate and recreate the ancient Medieval festival of Whitsuntide! This is a historical recreation event open to all ages. Historical clothing and garb are highly encouraged. SCAdian folk welcome!

*New Acre members get FREE FESTIVAL ENTRY! Must have purchased an Annual Membership after April 30, 2026. New Members only.

WHAT IS WHITSUNTIDE

Whitsuntide, or Pentecost, was one of the three "Great Festivals" of the medieval calendar, standing alongside Christmas and Easter. Occurring seven weeks after Easter, it marked the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and, in the medieval mind, served as a vibrant bridge between the austerity of winter and the full bloom of summer. The Church observed the "Great Week" of Whitsun with significant liturgy. This was also one of the preferred times for baptisms (second only to Easter). In England, this led to the name "White Sunday" (Whitsunday), referring to the white robes worn by the newly baptized.

Because it coincided with the "May-tide" season, Whitsuntide evolved into a unique blend of solemn religious observance and rowdy folk celebration. Outside the church walls, the community gathered for the Whitsun Ale. This was a parish-wide festival intended to raise funds for the church or the local poor. The churchwardens would brew a large quantity of strong ale and bake "Whitsun cakes" to sell to the villagers. Communities often elected a "Lord and Lady of the Ale" to preside over the festivities, acting as mock royalty for the week. These festivals were the primary venue for Morris dancing, archery contests, and wrestling matches.

On May 30th, we hope to revive some of that celebratory spirit for a very special historical festival at Vasa Park!

SCHEDULE

11:00 a.m. GROUNDS OPEN

12:00 p.m. INFORMAL LIST SIGNUP

1:00 p.m. FESTIVAL BEGINS

5:30 p.m. OUTDOOR FEAST (Off-Board guests are welcome to bring their own food!)

7:00 p.m. FESTIVAL END

FOOD (On-Board tickets only)

• Day Board (Small plates and bites)

• Pavilion Festival Feast (~5:30pm) Picnic tables can sit up to 6 people.

• Cash/Credit Bar for alcoholic beverages will be available.

• Guests may bring their own medieval utensils and table decor. Candles are allowed. Disposable utensils will also be available.

Feastocrat: Baroness Brooke Oroze. Full menu details coming soon!

*Guests who purchase an "Off-Board" ticket are welcome to bring their own food and drink.

ACTIVITIES

• Heavy Weapons Combat

• Archery

• Axe Throwing

• Bread Throwing

• Cheese Rolling

• Gurning (Face Contorting)

• Scavenger Hunt

• Hobby Horse Joust

• Board Games Freeplay

• Crowing of the "Lord/Lady of Ale"

• Whitsun Walk, before feast, to display New Finery! White ensembles are a plus.

Special music performance by New Jersey Early Music and Lady Luna Isabella de Valeria.

SITE RULES

No pets. Service dogs are welcome.

Guests may bring pop ups, tents, camping chairs, and above ground fire pits.

NO IN GROUND FIRES.