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July 27, 2009

Renaissance fest feasts on olden days

By Debbie Robinson

news@joplinglobe.com

CARTERVILLE, Mo. — With his long, flowing, gray beard, Gandalf the Grey entertained thousands of people over the weekend at the Route 66 Renaissance Festival in Carterville.

In character and wearing long, flowing robes, Gandalf was one of hundreds of characters from the Renaissance through the 1950s who performed and entertained in downtown Carterville.

The character Gandalf was created by J.R.R. Tolkien in his novels, “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” and appears as a wizard.

Last year, the inaugural festival was held at Landreth Park in Joplin.

Bruce Morgan, the fair’s founder and coordinator, said promoters wanted a more intimate setting where most of the vendors and performers were closer together.

“We’ve had a great weekend,” he said Sunday.

This year’s event attracted 42 vendors who sold everything from clothes to roasted corn and turkey legs.

Brother William, also known as William Grotts, of Carney, Okla., said he has been traveling to fairs since the mid-1970s.

“I portray a brother of the cloth,” he said. “I abide by the rules of St. Benedict, but by St. Benedict’s own rule, I would be the worst kind of monk.”

Grotts said the festival was “a phenomenal idea” that provided visitors with something to do that was different.

“It gives us the ability to hand out a little history,” he said.

In between camel rides, music and other performances, people browsed the vendors and had their faces painted.

“It’s living history by all means,” Morgan said. “The clothes, the food, it’s a way of life.”

Saturday night, the event featured a street dance on Main Street with the band Roadhouse of Kansas City.

“We woke up the people of Carterville, and they came out to listen,” Morgan said.

A Civil War encampment also was held Saturday on the grounds, he said.

Also performing over the weekend was the Red Moon Tribe from Springfield, whose members performed tribal-style belly dances.

Vendor Robert Ganson, of Corder, assisted his wife, Adelia, in their potions booth. They were selling scented oils, such as those for psychic power and meditation.

Rachel Modras and her husband, Chris, of Joplin, took their son, Caleb, to the festival.

“I like it,” she said. “Everybody’s having a good time, and we love the costumes.”

The family also attended last year’s event in Joplin.

“It’s just a little step back in time,” she said.

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