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It was a misty and mystical morning when the gates to Rusty Hook swung open to reveal the wonders of The Bestiary.

The 8th annual Fantasy Fayre was all about the brilliant beasties and adventurous activities, as guests of all ages surged into the forests and took to the hills to hunt monsters, turn to stone, quest for wild things and find the kidnapped Kraken.

The wee ones enjoyed swinging for sweeties and pinning the tail on our tailless dragon, as some of the most exquisite, crafty and imaginative costumes roamed the plains.

Our magnificent mermaid was in attendance, neighbour to the most unique of unicorns. and that was just the beginning.

A day full of imagination and splendour, we drank ale and mead, ate the most delicious of delights and enjoyed the magic market which featured some of the most unique vendors in South Africa.

Fantasy Fayre returns in 2026, just the second star to the right and then straight on til morning!

“𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐝.”
– 𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘵, 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 & 𝘓𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘴

𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎, 𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕, 𝚏𝚕𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍, 𝚙𝚘𝚙𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚋𝚢 𝚠𝚒𝚣𝚊𝚛𝚍𝚜, 𝚍𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚏𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚜, 𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚕𝚎𝚝𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚍𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚋𝚊𝚛𝚋𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚗 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚘𝚎𝚜. 𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚗, 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚍 𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚙 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚙𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚟𝚎𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚝𝚘𝚙 𝚊 𝚐𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛-𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚜𝚠𝚒𝚖𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚐𝚊𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚍.

One of the the most prolific and imaginative authors of our time, Sir Terry Pratchett created a world of wonder and magic that few can compare to. This year, AlterEgos Events invited roundworlders and Kevins alike to descend upon Rusty Hook to experience the magic of Discworld first-hand.

Our little bi-annual event, built from the very depths of our sincerest love for the works of Sir Terry Pratchett, 2024 Discworld Day was certainly one the man himself would have been proud of.

From Granny Weatherwax’s firm “advice” to Nobby’s surprisingly enthusiastic costume choices, every single one guest brought a dash of the ridiculous and a heap of joy.
From the depths of Unseen University’s endless stacks to the barely-controlled chaos of the Shades, fans came in search of a taste of Nanny Ogg’s infamous Scumble; the faint sound of an “Ook” on the wind; or the glint of Detritus’ crossbow (one does not wander into the Day unprepared), with the right amount of spirit, the kind they could bottle at The Biers.

Terry Pratchett’s world came to life at Rusty Hook as guests were treated to scenes from the Discworld.
Exploring the traders in The Shades, being conned by CMOT Dibbler, battling with Feegles, narrowly dodging Death and joining The Watch were just some of the highlights of the day.

Every guild member, every Merchant, every costume, every wink, each suspiciously clinking purse or loaded pint made this journey through the Disc’s far-flung corners a roaring success, paved with laughter, larks, and just a pinch of the absurd.

Discworld returns in 2026, so until next time: keep the spirit of Discworld alive and the Scumble within arm’s reach!

Michael Rennie was ill…The day the Earth stood still
But he told us where we stand…And Flash Gordon was there
In silver underwear
Claude Rains was The Invisible Man….

𝕿𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖆 𝖏𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖓𝖊𝖞 𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖊 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖊𝖗 𝖇𝖆𝖈𝖐 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖊,
𝕿𝖔 𝖆 𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖉𝖔𝖒 𝖔𝖋 𝖒𝖊𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖒𝖆𝖌𝖎𝖈 𝖉𝖎𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖊.
𝕬𝖒𝖎𝖉𝖘𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖘 𝖘𝖔 𝖍𝖎𝖌𝖍 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖋𝖎𝖊𝖑𝖉𝖘 𝖘𝖔 𝖌𝖗𝖊𝖊𝖓,
𝖄𝖔𝖚’𝖑𝖑 𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕸𝖊𝖉𝖎𝖊𝖛𝖆𝖑 𝖒𝖊𝖗𝖗𝖎𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊𝖘 𝖓𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖘𝖊𝖊𝖓.
𝖂𝖊 𝖎𝖓𝖛𝖎𝖙𝖊 𝖞𝖊, 𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖒𝖊𝖗𝖗𝖞 𝖙𝖔 𝖏𝖔𝖎𝖓 𝖎𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝕱𝖆𝖞𝖗𝖊
𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖊𝖝𝖕𝖑𝖔𝖗𝖊 𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖆𝖜𝖆𝖎𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖗𝖊!

Huzzah! What a day of Medieval Magic!
Greensleeves Medieval Kingdom was the star of the 11th Annual Magical Medieval Fayre as thousands of revellers descended upon the Kingdom for a day filled with activities, excitement and marvellous middle-ages-inspired enjoyment.

The beautiful winter weather played its part, as adventurers took on the quest, knights battled, and mysteries were solved. Axes were thrown, tomatoes were tossed; and all the while explorers and guests enjoyed the company of unicorns and falcons.

Brand new to the event, we experienced the side-splitting antics of Medieval Theatre from Improv Cart, witnessed the wonderous skills of the Wizard Wolflock and revisited the popular favourites with Phoenix Horseback Archery, the Tavern Quiz and much more.

With so many new sights to see and corners to explore, questers from all over South Africa travelled across the kingdom, interacting with all the attractions and vendors.
The magnificent Queen Loraine presided over the Fancy Dress Finery competition and fierce rivalry ensued. She also handed out tokens to those most worthy, whilst being impeded by the wicked Winifred Sanderson.

The Royal Treasury was won by a very enthusiastic and rather excitable Lord, and Nobles from all over were treated like the royalty they are.

With the help of an incredibly talented cast and crew, the 11th anniversary of one of Johannesburg’s favourite events was certainly one for the story books.

Bought two life by two incredibly creative (and slightly mad) minds, the team at AlterEgos Events were thrilled to see travellers from far and wide embrace the day and the theme.

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!

The village market added to the enchantment with all manner of goodies for sale. Bubbles floated above and the sweet saxophonic sounds of the Hazzard Goat had us dancing through the Fayre.

The exceptional effort of all those who dressed up (two-legged and four), was incredible with some of the most beautiful costumes seen to date. We wished on trees, the Fairy Godmother made good on her promises, whilst we swung for sweeties, tested our fantasy trivia knowledge, took photos by The Wardrobe and prepared for battle against the forces of dark magic with The Dahogrian Empire, Phoenix Archery and Weapons on Wheels.

We ate, drank and got very merry by the water soaking up all that was special about this magical day out.

Fixing to be a favourite theme amongst previous Fantasy Fayres – Faeries & Fables will not be forgotten anytime soon.

We will meet again soon amongst the mushrooms and the forests but until then remember….
Second star on the right and then straight on til morning, that is where you will always believe in faeries!

Vikings, shield maidens, warriors, and clansmen descended upon Valhalla (Rusty Hook) to kindle the fires of camaraderie and to celebrate the 3rd biennual Viking Thing!

AlterEgos Events delivered another exceptional alternative experience, raising the alehorn to those passed, paying tribute to the forefathers, and revelling in a day that created magic, right in the West Rand.

In every corner there were wonders to be seen and experienced. From tossing axes and throwing spears to experiencing birds of prey and mini-monsters up close, guests were able to go on wild adventures with epic Dungeons & Dragons campaigns; partake in the Viking Quest, and leave tribute notes to those who have crossed into Valhalla.

The village market offered up all manner of incredible crafts and wares, competition was hot in the Viking Vestment Costume Contest, beards were measured,  arrows were shot and chilli infused mead was chugged.

Legion Live provided the soundtrack for our day with deep and ominous Norse sounds reverberating around the venue, adding a new dimension to the ambiance.

A firm favourite on the AlterEgos calendar, A Viking Thing (conceptualised by the two mad minds behind the brand) 2023 event was certainly one for the history books.

So, until we meet again on the battlefield of festivity, we remain forever grateful for your presence, and we salute you, dear friends, with hearts full of gratitude and Viking pride.

Skål!

It’s astounding, time is fleeting
Madness takes its toll
But listen closely, not for very much longer
I’ve got to keep control…