LEWISTON — Polish the armor. Fill the tankards. Ready the wenches.
The medieval feast is back.
On Oct. 9, the Franco-American Heritage Center at St. Mary’s will serve a five-course dinner hosted by a fully costumed and interactive royal court.
Knights will battle.
“We skipped a year because we were renovating,” Rita Dube, the executive director of the center, said. “But people kept asking about it.”
After all, there are few opportunities in Lewiston-Auburn to wear a costume, let alone carry a sword.
“It’s a unique event,” she said.
The center held its first feast in 2007, and another was held the following year. Both were popular.
However, renovations to the center’s basement to transform the former church hall into modern banquet space prevented another feast until now.
The new event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9. The cost is $35 per person.
People will gather in the upstairs hall, where they will be met by the cast, including Richard Martin, the center’s program director, as “Sir Fleur-de-lis.” There will be other knights, wenches and a jester, who will play the guitar-like lute.
Upon the arrival of the king and queen, attendees will be escorted to the banquet hall, where they will be seated at long tables and served beer or cider, Martin said.
As Martin and the other actors perform their roles, attendees will be served food to be eaten without modern utensils: carrot soup to be guzzled from the bowl, ribs and chicken, a dessert and even a salad with romaine lettuce prepared for dunking.
Wearing a costume is voluntary. However, Dube expects many people to show up in medieval garb.
Some will likely rent their costumes. Others are regulars at renaissance fairs. The International Society of Creative Anachronism has several members in the local area who typically show up in elaborate costumes, Martin said.
Though performers have planned several sketches, there will also be more interaction between them and attendees, he said.
In some cases, people will be asked to join routines. There will also be a contest for the best costume.
The evening’s organized events are scheduled to continue until 8:30 p.m. However, people are invited to stay and socialize and perhaps watch a medieval-themed movie.
All proceeds from the event will go to the Franco-American Heritage Center, which is producing the feast.
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