KINGSTON — The helmeted men clashed their wooden staffs with uncommon glee, part of a mock battle done for educational purposes and a bit of fun.
Behind them, a small fire in the dirt crackled under a steel rack where members of the shire planned to cook a whole chicken later in the day.
Yesterday was day one of the New Hampshire Renaissance Faire & Samhain Celebration, which has been happening in town since 2005, when Shannon and Alb MacCracken-Barber first conceived a gathering of actors, vendors and artists focused on medieval times.
"We typically portray (the year) 1474," said Bob Reed of Hudson. "That's only 18 years from the arrival of Christopher Columbus, so that helps a lot of people get into what we're doing."
The event attracted people from across New England, many of whom arrived in costume to go on nature walks or buy from vendors selling handmade clothing, pelts and food.
Daniel Paulding, an elementary school teacher from Parsonsfield, Maine, said he and his wife brought their three young children for the family-oriented events.
"It's such a good history lesson for them," he said. "We went on a nature walk and they were shown how people lived, what to do and what not to do. ... We came just last year, but we enjoyed it so much we got dressed up this time. We've been planning it all summer long."
Paulding, dressed in a green frock, carved his own bow and arrow set from an ash tree in his yard. He resorted to modern instruction to learn how make his weapon.
"It's on the Internet. There's all kinds of information that's available," he said.
Shannon MacCracken-Barber said she and her husband saw a need for the fair after Maine's Renaissance Faire shut down. They began renting property in Kingston, owned by Marghi and Bob Bean of Kingston, and have attracted people in costume along with the curious in modern attire.
This year's fair has four historical re-enactment groups. There are vendors, selling food and items recreated from medieval times. And there's a story line and subplot, too.
This year, a visiting shire arrives at the Kingston fair to challenge the sitting one to determine who will host next year's celebration. There are a series of challenges and competitions that give patrons a series of comedic skits throughout the day.
Yesterday's festivities also included a "wench" and "strapping young lad" auction to raise funds for the New Hampshire Food Bank. Rather than winning the people, bidders would get an accompanying prize donated by a local business.
"We're equal opportunity," MacCracken-Barber said.
There are glints of the modern era, too. Pulled pork and turkey legs were sold by local vendors and restaurants, which set up booths at the fair.
The fair is scheduled to continue today from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. off Thorne Road in Kingston.
