Expect to see men, women and children dressed in chain mail or flowing gowns with bodices later this month in Stowe. On June 24 and 25, they'll gather at the Mayo Events Field for the second annual Vermont Renaissance Faire. Last year, according to organizer Jeffrey Folb, more than 2,200 people visited on the first day alone. Of course, some in everyday clothing just came to look. And what will attendees find as they stroll the grounds? Jousting, for one thing. The Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword will be on-site demonstrating a variety of fighting techniques. If axes and swords aren't your thing, there will also be dances, music from a fellow called Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate, and the sheer pleasure of hanging out with thousands of enthusiasts doing their thing. Since all the activity can make a body thirsty, Vermont's craft honey fermenters, Artesano Mead of Groton and Groennfell Meadery of Colchester, will be on hand. Go ahead and sip the golden liquid from a drinking horn — naturally, you can buy one there, made by Valhalla Horns of Pennsylvania. A Renaissance Faire is nothing, of course, without crafty medieval merch. In advance of the big event, Seven Days spoke with three Vermont artisans about their particular wares and the strangest things they've ever been asked to make. Andy Van Ness Van Ness Woodcrafts, Hinesburg, 482-5407 SEVEN DAYS: How did you get into working with wood? ANDY VAN NESS: I just always loved working with wood. I grew up in a rural part of Connecticut, and my father had quite a bit of land. I was in the woods all the time. I didn't have any friends, so the trees were my friends. Being a pagan, they still are. I spent many years doing electronics and other things people told me to do, but I [eventually] went to art school. When I was at the Pratt Institute, I was focused on photography and filmmaking, but I took a class with Toshio Odate, who's a master of Japanese woodworking and an awesome dude, and I got back into woodworking. SD: What's it like to be at Renaissance Faires? AVN: For some reason, I've always had this affinity for medieval design. The Lord of the Rings was another thing. Early on, I had this book of the art of the LOTR by the Brothers Hildebrandt. I loved everything…
Expect to see men, women and children dressed in chain mail or flowing gowns with bodices later this month in Stowe. On June 24 and 25, they'll gather at the Mayo Events Field for the second annual Vermont Renaissance Faire. Last year, according to organizer Jeffrey Folb, more than 2,200 people visited on the first day alone. Of course, some in everyday clothing just came to look. And what will attendees find as they stroll the grounds? Jousting, for one thing. The Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword will be on-site demonstrating a variety of fighting techniques. If axes and swords aren't your thing, there will also be dances, music from a fellow called Rockin' Ron the Friendly Pirate, and the sheer pleasure of hanging out with thousands of enthusiasts doing their thing. Since all the activity can make a body thirsty, Vermont's craft honey fermenters, Artesano Mead of Groton and Groennfell Meadery of Colchester, will be on hand. Go ahead and sip the golden liquid from a drinking horn — naturally, you can buy one there, made by Valhalla Horns of Pennsylvania. A Renaissance Faire is nothing, of course, without crafty medieval merch. In advance of the big event, Seven Days spoke with three Vermont artisans about their particular wares and the strangest things they've ever been asked to make. Andy Van Ness Van Ness Woodcrafts, Hinesburg, 482-5407 SEVEN DAYS: How did you get into working with wood? ANDY VAN NESS: I just always loved working with wood. I grew up in a rural part of Connecticut, and my father had quite a bit of land. I was in the woods all the time. I didn't have any friends, so the trees were my friends. Being a pagan, they still are. I spent many years doing electronics and other things people told me to do, but I [eventually] went to art school. When I was at the Pratt Institute, I was focused on photography and filmmaking, but I took a class with Toshio Odate, who's a master of Japanese woodworking and an awesome dude, and I got back into woodworking. SD: What's it like to be at Renaissance Faires? AVN: For some reason, I've always had this affinity for medieval design. The Lord of the Rings was another thing. Early on, I had this book of the art of the LOTR by the Brothers Hildebrandt. I loved everything…