Amtgard Alaska member Liam Porter-Bell finishes wrapping his "sword" with ducktape before heading for battle.(Clarise Larson // Juneau Empire)

Medieval fun: Community members gather for the first Juneau Master’s Faire

A blast from the past.

The smell of hot dogs and cotton candy filled the air of the Juneau Masonic Community building where Juneau community members dressed in their finest medieval attire gathered to enjoy a blast from the past.

The first-ever Juneau Master’s Faire took place on Saturday in the parking lot and inside the Juneau Masonic Community building with medieval-themed booths and activities open to the public. Featured booths included the Society for Creative Anachronism battling in medieval armor, tarot readings and face painting. The event was a collaborative effort from the Order of the Eastern Star, the Juneau Rainbow girls and the Society for Creative Anachronism.

[Go ‘Fourth’ into battle: Historical re-creators spend Independence Day at the park]

Local musicians play Renaissance-themed music at the entrance of the outside portion of the Master’s Faire event. (Clarise Larson // Juneau Empire)

Local musicians play Renaissance-themed music at the entrance of the outside portion of the Master’s Faire event. (Clarise Larson // Juneau Empire)

Community members of all types came together, some came prepared dressed in full costume, and others just enjoyed the event in their blue jeans. People had the chance to build their own swords, have their fortunes told and watch intense combat reenactments put on by the Society for Creative Anachronism.

Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Haak and Arthur McVey, aka Arthur Bloodworth battle with intensity outside the Juneau Masonic Community building Saturday. (Clarise Larson // Juneau Empire)

Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Haak and Arthur McVey, aka Arthur Bloodworth battle with intensity outside the Juneau Masonic Community building Saturday. (Clarise Larson // Juneau Empire)

“We just want people to have some fun,” said Sorcha Hazelton, the fair coordinator. She said it’s great to see the fair finally happen, as it was originally planned to happen back in 2018, but due to unforeseen circumstances and then the pandemic, it had to be postponed until now. The collaborating groups decided this year would be a good time to try it out as public gatherings are becoming safer, and because they wanted to celebrate the Juneau Rainbow Girls’ 100th year anniversary as an organization.

Chloe Dees poses for a picture in a mock pillory device outside at the Master’s Faire. (Clarise Larson // Juneau Empire)

Chloe Dees poses for a picture in a mock pillory device outside at the Master’s Faire. (Clarise Larson // Juneau Empire)

Hazelton said she was happy with the number of attendees that came, as they didn’t have any expectations of how many people would come to the event or even know what it was. Order of the Rainbow for Girls is a nonprofit service organization for youths.

“I think in Juneau we definitely have people who just want to wear a fun costume, and Juneau doesn’t have anything quite like this,” she said. “It is our hope that the community enjoys it and we can make it bigger.”

One of the booths included in the event was the local live-action role play group Shire of Darklodge Cross, a sector of the Amtgard of Alaska organization, that hosted sword and archery battles, though the sheriff of the group Zach Eberhardt said it sounds more intimidating than it really is.

“The swords are made of foam and the arrows have a soft tip,” he said. “We care more about safety than historical accuracy.” Eberhardt said he was excited to see an event like this happening in Juneau, and hopefully expose their group to more people in the area. When the group first heard of the faire being planned, “we wanted in.”

• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807. Follow her on Twitter at @clariselarson.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Pittman’s Pub, which has a bar tent located next to the Hooter chairlift and Fish Creek Lodge, will not open this season, its co-owners told Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors Thursday. Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Pittman’s Pub owners say they won’t open at Eaglecrest this year due to cost, space difficulties

Couple says they would like to take over ski area’s restaurant, continue as a year-round operation.

The Alaska Senate unanimously approves a bill Friday rejecting a recommendation to adjust lawmakers’ salaries for inflation. (Official Alaska State Legislature livestream)
Alaska Senate unanimously rejects automatic salary hikes for top state officials

Commission recommendation for adjustments matching inflation takes effect unless lawmakers say no.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Feb. 3, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

A sexual assault kit. (Photo from Alaska Department of Public Safety)
Gov. Dunleavy proposes bill to streamline Alaska sexual assault kit tracking system

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has introduced legislation to set a statewide tracking system… Continue reading

An aerial view of Nome on March 16, 2022. (Ash Adams/The New York Times)
Small plane with 10 on board missing between Unalakleet and Nome

A plane carrying 10 people went missing in a remote region along… Continue reading

Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich and his supporters wave campaign signs at the corner of the Seward Highway and Northern Lights Boulevard on Nov. 4, 2024, the day before Election Day. (Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
U.S. House passes two bills from Alaska Rep. Nick Begich

One month into his term, Alaska’s lone representative says he’s generally satisfied with how things have gone so far.

Most Read