This past weekend I went with several friends to the Medieval Festival at Fort Tyron Park in Manhattan. The Medieval Festival is held every year, free of charge and brings to life the customs and spirit of the Middle Ages. Manhattan’s Fort Tryon Park is transformed into a medieval market town decorated with bright banners and processional flags. Despite the scattered showers, we had a happy and joyful time!
Two of my friends were dressed up in full Medieval garb and while I didn’t have a costume on, I wore a pretty light purple skirt and a deep velvety purple top. I loved seeing the different costumes on everyone, depicting knights, ladies, princesses, fairies, minstrels, as well as jugglers, jesters and much more! Some of the dresses were so lovely to look at: Ornate, beautifully crafted, and richly colored.
There were plenty of vendors selling medieval crafts, jewelry, trinkets, bath and body products, perfumes, swords, shields and much more. I purchased some delightful smelling olive oil soap in a variety of flavors: Black cherry, Butterscotch, Cinnamon, Green tea and more.
I also picked up some kettle corn and decided to have some real food. The steak and huge turkey leg looked enticing but the line was a bit too long, so I settled for potato pancakes with apple sauce. The potato pancakes were delicious and extremely crispy, the way I like it.
My favorite part was the jousting tournament between four knights on horseback. This was quite exciting and a real treat to see. I loved all the pretense that surrounded the event, with the introduction of the royals and the knights, to the first challenge of collecting as many rings as possible, then the matches between the knights. It definitely made my heart pound, cheering for our favorite knight and watching with bated breath as the knights fell from their horses during the final match. They all recovered afterwards. And after the jousting, I met a charming knight of blond hair and blue eyes.
What a lovely day- I definitely enjoyed all the festivities and Fort Tyron Park (pictured below) by the castle-like exterior of the Cloisters, was the perfect place to hold the Medieval Festival!
Dress, Dine & Sparkle 