The daylight and nighttime have reached their equilibrium. This, more than setting clocks ahead an hour, dictates our natural flows of life. The balance of day and night (it occurred on March 20) has been observed by various global cultures of eons, usually as a time to party.
In honour of this annual natural event, the city's anachronist club is gathering for the Cold Keep Spring Equinox Celebration.
"This particular event is in it's first year," said Mike McPherson, the seneschal (president) of the Shire of Cold Keep, the Prince George chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a cast and crew of enthusiasts dedicated to recreating the best of the Middle Ages.
The event is centred on a set of workshops for people curious about the Middle Ages and the ways modern people can have olden days fun with that lifestyle.
"We've got instructors coming in to teach on a variety of topics," McPherson said. The instructors will be holding character to enhance the anachronist experience. The class list includes:
- Introduction to the SCA with Mistress Thorey
- Seaxes (Viking-age knives) with Oli
- Arrow making with Guillaume
- Period Pigments with Duchess Helene
- Heraldry of names and devices with Master Vlad
- Herbalism with Mistress Thorey
Other classes are expected to be added, and there will be demonstrations of combat, armour and weapons, so McPherson said the club expects there will be narry a drop of boredom spilt.
"We'll also have a potluck feast at the April event and then spend the evening hanging out and enjoying each others' company," he said. "The Shire of Cold Keep has been active in the Prince George area for more than 20 years, and we typically run two events and a couple of demos each year. After our April event we will be at Northern FanCon where it is our hope to bring a medieval village to life to give the Con goers a taste of some of what we do for fun."
There is also the club's champion's tournaments coming up in July at a site near Clucultz Lake. The Cold Keep Spring Equinox Celebration is a good time to come ask questions about that highly anticipated annual event.
The spring fling takes place April 13 at Knox United Church, one of the city's oldest buildings downtown. It happens from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 regular, $10 for club members, and free for anyone 18 and younger if they are accompanied by an adult.
