Lover's Feast

I'd heard of the Lover's Feast over at the high school before. I knew that it was a big to-do and that it was a long running tradition but that was about it....until this year when Rebekah was involved with it. Apparently it's a fundraiser for the choral department and this was its 31st year. It being a Renaissance-themed feast extravaganza. And a "big to-do" only touches the tip of the iceberg. I can't even imagine the planning, work and practice that goes into something like this! I guess when you've been doing it for 31 years, maybe it becomes a bit of a science.

We arrived only to be welcomed by a slew of high school boys dressed all renaissanc-y in tights and such. We were officially announced as Lord and Lady from the House of Lancaster and led up the drawbridge to the other side into the commons area...all decked out like a beautiful garden...

...where a bunch of beautiful maidens curtsied and welcomed us. There was music (singing and a bell choir) and a maypole dance before the big feast.

 That's Rebekah at the right end of the front row....

 The "stewards" sang the "Men in Tights" song from that old Mel Brooks Robin Hood movie.

In the official hall (ie: lunch room) 4 long tables were set up for different "houses" with one big main head table at the top of the room. (Think Harry Potter.) And then we had a 7 course meal, intermingled with the head table (the Madrigals) who were acting out a family drama...the head Lord wanting to pass down his Lord-ship to one of his many sons...who were then doing all sorts of challenges to see who was fit to gain the official title. There were jesters, stewards, serving wenches nuns to bless the food, a bell choir to bring in each course and a recorder group to play music while we ate. It was crazy impressive and hilariously funny. My favorite part was after eating my enormous drumstick, chucking it at the head steward.

The House of Kent at the head table, also favored us with numerous madrigal musical selections along with their funny drama.

One of the challenges...notice the steward that is clapping the coconuts together to sound like a horse Monty Pyton style.

The bell choir. Wish I had a better picture...it was a pretty big group. And don't you love the stained-glass windows behind them?

 Our lovely "serving wench" Rebekah...

 Notice all the drumsticks on the floor?

Can't wait to go again next year....

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