A stunning step back in time

Another successful Fantasy Medieval Fair in Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier’s Fantasy Medieval Fair took on AFL Gather Round and Dane Swan pulling on the boots in Nangwarry and still managed to create a huge buzz, attracting increased interstate interest and securing rave reviews for the second successive year.

Event organiser Tammy Flier said the two day event had plenty of highlights and planning is already underway for the 2024 event.

“It was really, really good,” Tammy said. “We had a lot of patrons that travelled from all around Australia – Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and across South Australia – the interest from interstate certainly balanced out the drop in locals.

“We knew we were up against it with Gather Round and Dane Swan coming to town but we still had similar crowds to last year and one of this first things we are going to do before we set the date for next year is check when Gather Round is going to be.”

The influx from out of town was significantly increased on both the patrons and traders front and that wasn’t the only facet of the event where things were bigger and better than 2022.

“There were a lot more people in costume this year and it just looked fantastic and we had more horses as part of the displays,” Tammy said.

“We also saw the largest jousting event ever seen in Australia with four knights out on the field at the same time.”

The increase in costumes spawned daily competitions across children, adult and group categories.

The feast was again a highlight, booked out for the 180 people that enjoyed the hospitality of Mean Feedz and in response to 2022 feedback, there was quality entertainment with a fire twirler, magician, harpists and a local choir.

“We got some amazing feedback about our improvements to he feast and next year we are also looking at putting together a family friendly feast so kids can come along and enjoy the experience as well,” Tammy said.

The event continues to be an economic driver as well, with organisers providing information packs for traders, and again the feedback from their time at both the festival and in the wider Mount Gambier community has been top shelf.

“We let them know where to stay, where to eat and we really push the businesses that support us,” Tammy said.

“It was also really pleasing to hear from the visiting traders, performers and patrons that they found Mount Gambier so friendly and a great place to visit. People were also impressed with how inclusive the event was – all ages, all abilities – it was just a great weekend.”

Local photographers also flock to the event, only further widening the promotion of the event across social media and other channels. “We are so lucky that so many local photographer do come and capture the event – they just love it because there is nothing like it.”

Keep an eye on the event’s social media platforms for all the details as they come to hand for the 2024 fair.

PHOTOS: Bell Studio of Highland Dance, the jousting and the musical performer, including the harpists, were the key performers