Blackrock Medieval Summerfest

[Rowan MacD]

http://www.facebook.com/BlackrockMedievalSummerfest

Anyone heard of this?

This is their first year-No website that I can find.  The below is from the FB page.




"This is Michigan's Newest Event!
Please like our page, spread the word, and visit us this July in Augusta, Michigan!
Welcome to BlackRock Medieval Summerfest! Step back in time and enjoy local and national entertainment, artisans, and vendors. Eat, drynk and be merry as you stroll through our beautifully wooded village near Kalamazoo, MI. Join us July 14 & 15, 21 & 22, 28 & 29 from 10-6, rain or shine!. It's a feast for the senses!"

[Queen Genevieve]

This is a new faire!!!! 

[Rowan MacD]

  Appears to be!  I wish these were closer....I was amazed they are doing 4 weekends right off the bat.
     I will be watching for posts on this one once we get some live feedback from folks attending...

[Rowan MacD]

http://www.blackrockfest.com/index.html 
They have a website!

[NefariousDrO]

I just saw an article on Mlive.com about it, seems to be fairly well-organized. They've got a decent list of performers, too. Anyone know anybody involved in it?

[Lady Cecilia]

Coco of Bocca Musica is their Entertainment Director.  This is taking the place of the Silverleaf Renaissance Faire that has folded.  Many of you know Coco and Bocca from the Michigan Ren Faire in Holly.  She has been a great supporter of Enchanted Lakes and we can't wait to see her at Blackrock!

[NefariousDrO]

Yesterday I talked to someone who's attended some of the meetings, and he was very impressed. He says that they are a really good group of people who're well-organized and have a plan. I'm feeling optimistic and making plans to attend!

[NefariousDrO]

Not sure if anybody's seen this, but the local TV station in Kalamazoo, MI has done a feature on the new Blackrock Medieval Summer Festival. You can see it here:

http://www.wwmt.com/shared/newsroom/top-stories/stories/wwmt_vid_2583.shtml

It sounds (and looks, given the construction going on) like they own the property, so they're planning to be there for the long term, too.

[Lord Clisto of York]

Basically how I was told is that this is what the Closed Silverleaf Faire was. Many of the same people at a different location. Good for them.

Lord Clisto

[NefariousDrO]

I hope that it's not entirely run by the same people. I enjoyed going to Silverleaf for years, but during the fallout with Kalamazoo County there were things that they said to the local media that alienated people in Kalamazoo County which I think directly contributed to the faire's decline. I really hope the people running this one learn from that and don't antagonize their own customers.

[NefariousDrO]

So, who's gonna be there for opening weekend? I'm planning on visiting on the 15th!

[max and kate]

Nice faire, good vendors with some lively entertainment. Great setting with lots of room for expansion. Some bugs involved thought like the parking lot that was dozed 24 hrs before opening and was dust and unstable on the road in, I'm sure that will be addressed at a later time. The faires pathways had that same dusty dirtiness and I'm sure that will be taken care of to. All in all we had a great time and can see real potential for Blackrock.

[Bearington]

I'm on cast, the Kings Valet Archibald, I've had a great time, and, given the short turnaround time, the property is spectacular! It feels like its been there forever. I hope to see a bunch of you these next couple of weekends!

[Rowan MacD]

  Anybody get pictures? 

[Lord Clisto of York]

Yes, pictures please...

Lord Clisto

[NefariousDrO]

I stupidly forgot to take my camera for the opening weekend, alas. Their facebook page has some good pictures scattered about:
http://www.facebook.com/BlackrockMedievalSummerfest

I'll be back there on the 28th, and plan to take photos this time, darnit!

I agree that it was a really good time. The dust is really the only issue, but that is likely to get better with time. The people there are all very upbeat and energetic. The optimism is fueling a really positive energy that is very infectious. I'm also optimistic that this one will only get better with time.

[Jon Foster]

We went to the faire on Saturday.

Wow, what a great faire already! Considering it's the first year and second weekend, it's pretty sweet.

I have a few pictures posted at the link below with more to add as time allows this week.

http://www.pbase.com/jfoster/2012_black_rock&page=all

Here's a shot looking down one of the vendor isles from a hillside pathway...



Jon.

[NefariousDrO]

I was back to this wonderful festival on the 28th, and as before I had a great time. I posted pictures from my crappy little mini-camera here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30083073@N02/sets/72157630847648782/with/7688611264/

Sorry they're not better quality, but when I'm in costume it's hard to take a big and bulky SLR with me. My next project will have to be making a "periodish" bag for the thing so I can still be in garb and take decent photos as well!