A Fanciful Time
Katelin Waters learned about birds of prey. She is pictured here with one of the owls used during the educational program. (Mollie S. Waters | The Standard)
MOLLIE SMITH WATERS/THE GREENVILLE STANDARD
The second annual Alabama Medieval Fantasy Festival (AMFF) took place this past weekend. Drawing crowds in the thousands each day, the AMFF was a huge success and everyone from participants to attendees appeared to be having a good time.
First time visitors Roy and Sherry Bourn from Pensacola, Fla., came dressed as King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
The Bourns have participated in similar festivals throughout the southeast, and even though the AMFF is only in its second year, the Bourns heaped praise on its layout and activities.
“We do this all the time,” said Sherry Bourn. “It’s fun! We got married on Halloween as pirates, and we love the fun of dressing up and being in character.”
“I like how it’s not all clustered together,” added Roy Bourn. “It’s spread out.”
Katelin Waters, who was dressed as a witch fairy, said she enjoyed everything, but she especially liked purchasing a complete costume at the festival and getting to hold an owl.
“I love my costume,” said Waters. “I got everything here from my wings to my shoes!”
Festival director Nancy Johnson Ardoin said she was thrilled with the huge crowds and she was pleased that everyone seemed to be having a good time.
“It went great,” said Ardoin. “I think that we had more vendors, more food, more music and more people.”
When asked what is in the works for next year’s festival, Ardoin said they would probably stick to only one weekend for one more year, but they hoped to add even more vendors, entertainment and permanent structures.
“We are going to continue to build and grow,” said Ardoin.
Next year’s festival will also be held in March.
