Queanbeyan to step back in time as medieval life arrives on its doorstep

A world of plate armour, fairy tales and fair maidens will return to Queanbeyan once again – but we’ll have to wait a few months yet.

Queanbeyan Medieval Fair coordinator Henry Carter says the two-day fair will be an all-ages event spanning centuries of medieval life.

“We can’t release anything too soon, but we will have jousting back again,” he tells Region.

“We plan to have it bigger than last year to offer more fun for people, but we’ll have that usual mix of stalls, groups, living history and entertainment activities for the whole family.”

The fair will return on 27 and 28 September and be held at the Queanbeyan Showground.

“It’s nice to be able to release the dates early because it gives people more time to plan and get ready for a fun weekend,” he says.

“We like to make sure we get a date out early, just so people know where to go and what to see around Australia [in historical re-enactment].”

While the dates have been locked in, Henry says they are putting together the schedule of demonstrations, exhibitions, stallholders and more.

“We sort of try and cover as many different elements or periods within the Middle Ages or medieval time period, just to make it that we can sort of cater to everyone,” he says.

“Also, it’s nice to show that progression of how things change and how people learn different things. It creates a well-rounded event.”

Just as in past years, the fair will again focus on the centuries-long medieval era, but the organisers are also inviting people and groups from the wider reenactment community to get involved.

“We’ve had groups coming over from South Australia to the event, as well as Victoria. There’s a few groups in and around Canberra and NSW that we’re looking to bring back this year,” he says.

“We really encourage people to come from all around Australia who are involved or are enthusiasts in medieval [life].

“It’s great to expand the community, or have people come and interact with different eras, share trades or some of the things they’ve learned with being in different reenactment groups or different living history groups over the years.”

Henry says the goal of the event is to showcase what it was like to live in past times – focusing on elements from food to fashion.

“You can really have a wide range of different period dress, armour, weapons and crafts – all sorts of things,” he says.

“It really allows people to connect with different parts of the period.”

For Henry, there is a curiosity and interest in how people lived their lives, centuries ago.

“I think people have a real interest in connecting with the past,” he says.

“[An event like this] creates something of interest that they can detach from their daily lives, enjoy either being a kid again or trying to reenact history.”

The Queanbeyan Medieval Fair will be held on 27 and 28 September at Queanbeyan Showground on Glebe Avenue.

Tickets will be available to purchase in the coming weeks, while anyone looking to join the event can email [email protected] or message the organisers on Facebook.