Beaver Creek Park Plays Host to Ren Faire

The Eagles Campground in Beaver Creek Park played host to the Montana Actors’ Theatre (MAT) Ren Faire this past weekend, June 7-9. Beginning on Friday evening and concluding on Sunday following a 2:00 p.m. performance of The Imaginary Invalid, the event offered entertainment, a number of food and craft vendors, as well as various activities and games for all ages.

Producers of the event were Bear Paw Mountain Outfitters, Gary and Leo’s IGA, and Charlie’s Heating and Air. Sponsors included the Havre Jaycees, Cavaliers, the Atchison Family, Peak Supply, and Malley’s Repair, Remodel, and Paint.

The Faire was a history-inspired festival much like those held during the Renaissance, a period in European history from A.D. 1400 to A.D. 1600. Festivities kicked off at 4:30 p.m. on Friday with people browsing the ample choices in vendor and activity hosts at the Elizabethan-styled Faire. These vendors were on hand for the three-day event:

• Lady Saxifraga Decora Tarot: Tarot card reading

• Havre-Hill County Library: Library outreach and pool hobby horse joust

• Bits ‘n Bones: Bones, unique stickers of skulls and flowers, prints and paintings

• Eclectically Kept: Chainmail jewelry, stainless steel jewelry, resin crafts, freshies, gemstone and glass-beaded jewelry, and sun catchers

• Ello Amulets: Upcycled accessories

• I Can Make That: Sublimation tumblers, wind spinners, towels, keychains, and earrings

• RBM Candles: Homemade soaps, candles, jewelry, and other small items

• Charming Creations: Handmade crafts, including D&D gifts and Pegan and Wiccan jewelry, dress-up items, and fantasy decor

• Enchanting Elegance: Face paint, creative makeup, and glitter tattoos

• Spirit Fox Designs by Erin Dawn: Hand crafted crystal and wire wrap bracelets, necklaces, and earrings; hand woven dream catchers; Magick charms and spell bottles; head bands, hats, and worry stones

• Woodwick Woolens: Wool spinning demonstrations on a spinning wheel; Renaissance-themed wool-crafted items for sale

• Manhattan Candy Company: Traditional candy and live-spun cotton candy

• Bee Design: 3D printed items

• Made by Mer: Crocheted items, including stuffed animals, home and decor items

• Honey Mountain Floral: Floral arrangements and vintage items

• Paradise Shave Ice: Shave Ice

• Living the Leaf: Prepackaged dried herbs

and tisanes (herbal teas)

• Ni-wahs Kitchen: Food cooked on the spot

• Goblin Hoard Creatives: Tie dyes, upcycled clothes, jewelry, art, figurines, and crystals

• Jody’s Jems: Jewelry and ornamental charms, tie blankets and pillows, and fabric ornaments

• Sugar and Dice: Lotus energy drinks, toys, games, and costumes

• Sow and Cow: Food stand serving burgers, brats, hotdogs, and cold water

• Family-First Feeding (Nurturing Mothers): A quiet, sensory-friendly space to feed and change infants

• Hi-Line Hues: Face painting

• Sabrina’s Little Witchy Things: Crystal creations: dragon jars, dragon shield necklaces, and a variety of earrings

• Medieval Icy: Snow Cones

• Sticks and Stones: Wands, bracelets, soap

• Finn Furniture: Hand-crafted furniture and decorative items

• Siren’s Cove: Jewelry and fairy vial making station, stickers, and crystal accessories

At 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Faire-goers were treated to a performance of The Imaginary Invalid, a comedy in three acts originally written and produced in 1673 by French actor and playwright Molière. MAT’s Martin Holt updated the script, a satire of medicine and its practitioners that features Argan, a hypochondriac who fears death and doctors.

Beginning at 2:00 p.m. on June 8, the Ren Faire followed a similar slate of vendors, activities, and entertainment throughout the day. For example, the Havre Jaycees held a Costume Contest with three categories: Most Fun, Best Dressed, and Most Creative. The Imaginary Invalid again took place at six o’clock on Saturday evening.