DIDSBURY - One of the most popular events in the area returns to Didsbury next month.
Days of Yore, the two-day historical re-enactment festival returns on Aug. 3 and 4 to Rosebud Park. The festival features two days of great costumes, sword fights, big cannons and live combat.
The festival, which is hosted by the Mountain View Arts Society, feature battles with costumed performers showing the fighting styles, clothing and weapons of the different eras ranging from 9th century Scandinavia with the Sons of Fenrir Vikings, to 11th century England with the Dragons Own Medieval Combat Group, to 19th century England with the Victorian Society of Alberta, to 20th century Germany with the WWII First Special Service Force Re-enactors.
Kathleen Windsor, chair of the Days of Yore committee, said the festival is sure to be a great time.
"We have eight different re-enactment groups coming," said Windsor. "We have the Sons of Fenrir Vikings returning by popular demand, we have the Dragon's Own Knights of the Round Table with their games and where the kids can dress up like knights.
"The Victoria Society is going to be playing croquet and bocce ball with everybody. The Edmonton House Brigade is the fur traders. They have entertainment for little kids where they learn to portage and become a junior fur trader."
Windsor said the Yankee Valley Yankees will be back again as well with their cannons.
"They're representing the Civil War," she said. "They're the big bang guys. We've got the 10th Battalion, First World War fellows. The Second World War is represented by the First Special Service Force.
"The Prairie Motor Brigade is our own military show 'n shine here in Didsbury. Kids will get to pedal a field generator; they love that. We've got that jeep from the TV show M*A*S*H coming back."
In addition to watching the re-enactors on the field, visitors will be able to "stroll through the ages" in the re-enactment village as each group has its own area set up. As well at the Artisan Alley, people will be able to see heritage arts and traditional crafts being made.
New this year is the medieval stick pony maze where kids try to find their way through a maze to save the princess.
"It'll be a-maze-ing!" she said.
Days of Yore wraps up with an exciting grand finale melee on Sunday afternoon as all the groups battle to see who is the last one standing.
Windsor said the festival has really taken the community by storm. Not only that, but many re-enactors have embraced the community.
"Some of our re-enactors are going over to Aspen Ridge Lodge to visit with the residents there," she said. "The library is putting on a Famous Five event with tea with suffragettes Nellie McClung and Irene Parlby. The museum is having a special opening for the re-enactors so they can visit the military room and the First Nations exhibits.
"The Didsbury Saloon is hosting a medieval party on Saturday night complete with tavern wenches."
Windsor said it's very rewarding for the society's volunteers to see the community embracing the event and taking some ownership.
