The 6th Annual Magical Medieval Fayre returned to the grounds at Inanda Country Base in Kyalami on 2 September to take Johannesburg back in time.
Visitors were greeted by performers, riders, noble steeds and gallant knights. Those fortunate enough to be Royals for the day engaged in a royal banquet, whilst the nobles and commoners snacked on giant turkey legs. Adventures, games, activities and sites were bountiful.
A mass sunset battle of mounted fighters and those on foot drew the crowds as the sun started to set.
A massive medieval market allowed those who wished to shop to their hearts’ content. Trinkets and treasures unlike those seen before were plentiful.
The Moors Castle in Muldersdrift was turned in a fantasy wonderland as faeries, goblins, vikings, knights, witches, warlocks, magicians, fawns and elves turned up for the 1st Annual Fantasy Fayre.
Perfect South African weather helped set the scene for a multitude of activities, from archery to tavern quizzes, fancy dress competitions and games. The scenic river and amphitheatre offered shade from the heat, where weary travellers could rest their feet.
Visitors stretched their imaginations and wandered amongst the themed traders, each selling their magical wares and offering unique services. Food and drink flowed freely and the day was one to be remembered as an alternative experience. Click here to see the gallery.
This is a story of two (slightly weird women) who had a crazy idea….and ran with it.
Are you comfy? Got some snacks?
Good. Let’s start at the beginning.
The year was 2010. Horse lovers and best friends, Dayle & Meryl were partners on a ‘little’ (50k+ fans) equestrian website. They found themselves bored with the normal, bored with the usual and decided they wanted to play dress up.
Fascinated with the Medieval world and wishing they could go back in time, they did. It started with two princess dresses, a few aspiring knights in not-so-shining armour, Dayle’s backyard and a set of rickety pillories.
What started as a gathering for 300 of their closest friends, became an epic event of huge proportions with over 1800 people putting their feet through the gate to experience a little trip back in time.
Knights knighting, fire dancer dancing, noble steeds, damsels in distress, wicked kings and lusty queens filled the venue and The Magical Medieval Fayre was born.
7 years later, the girls at Alter Egos are the ‘go-to’ people when it comes to all things Medieval in Johannesburg. Hosting the largest festival of its kind in South Africa, this dynamic duo now boast a 3000+ person event, which includes live steel knight fights, banquets, genuine mead, themed food, town criers, carriage rides, the stocks, Medieval games, handfastings, performers, mounted archery, battle reenactments, birds of prey, noble steeds, wolves, fancy dress competitions, our very own King and a Medieval Market of over 150 traders and crafters.
Make sure you look through our gallery of Medieval Moments here:
Deciding the alternative wildings among us needed more, Meryl & Dayle then branched out and introduced new festivals, catering to all things fantasy and magic, savage and special.
2017 saw the birth of Fantasy Fayre and Discworld Day, both events showing the South African public something they had never seen before. In 2018, the unique is just beginning.
Join us for this wild ride, hold on tight and get read for epic, alternative experiences.
