Feast of Saint Brigid (Midwinter's Revel)
(2015-01-31 - Site opens at 9:00 AM & Closes at 10:00 PM)
Lochmere

Mid-Winter’s Eve has come and gone, and the days have slowly begun to grow longer again. With joy in their hearts and warmth in their hearths, the citizens of Lochmere open their homes to travelers from near and far to celebrate the coming of Spring. This year we celebrate the Irish-themed Feast of Saint Brigit of Kildare, or Imbolc for the Gaelically inclined.

Pre-registration via ACCEPS is available: http://acceps.ansteorra.org/regit/kingdom_event_display.php?kid=12

Website:  http://lochmere.atlantia.sca.org/participate/events/mid2015/

Arts & Sciences Activities:  In addition to Arts & Sciences classes, there will be three Arts & Sciences competitions. First, there will be a Bread & Butter competition. Saint Brigit was known for her generosity to the poor. As a child, she once gave away all of her mother’s butter, but the butter was miraculously replenished in answer to her prayers. Inhabitants of the land would also leave out bread for Saint Brigit, so she would have something to eat as she passed by and blessed their homes. Documentation for this competition is encouraged, but tasty bread and butter is even more encouraged! Second, a Themed Competition: any artistic mode that ties in with the theme of St. Brigit’s Day and/or Imbolc (Novice and Experienced). Last, Lady Scholastica Joycors, the Kingdom of Atlantia’s Royal Bard, is sponsoring a Bardic Competition.

Class Descriptions: Handspinning Clinic: Problems with your yarn? Drop by with your supported and suspended (drop) spindle issues for some troubleshooting assistance. Want to try the drop spindle? Come learn how to spin. Adoptable spindles and fiber available, or bring your own. Instructor: Lady Ragnveig Snorradottir Time: 10:00am-11:00pm

Straight from the Horse\'s Mouth: All About Commedia dell\' Arte Characters You may have seen the shenanigans of commedia characters on stage, but have you ever met the characters behind the mischief? Join Lady Avelina del Dolce and members of local commedia troupe, \"Vagando Stolti\" as they teach a class about the characters of commedia dell\'arte by becoming the stock characters themselves. This is an interactive class for members of any experience level, interest level or age. Join us for fun, foolish times! Instructor: Lady Avelina del Dolce. Time: 11:00am-12:00pm

Celtic Knotwork for the Artistically Challenged The purpose of this class is to introduce the student to the construction and design of Celtic knotwork through the use of the Dot Method. It will present the student with the theory of construction and provide some hands-on examples of patterns that can be used in SCA scrolls, embroidery, carving, and weaving. Instructor: Sir Aelfred.of Cres Class size: limit 15. Time: 11:00-12:00pm

How to Make an Irish Sunwheel/Brigid\'s Cross Protect your home from fire and evil spirits (so they say). What is known today as St. Brigid\'s Cross may be related to the much older sunwheel motif in Ireland. Traditionally they were woven of rushes or straw. Join me in plaiting straw into your own Irish Sunwheel/Brigid\'s Cross. Instructor: Magistra Sigrid Briansdotter Class size: limit 6. Materials cost: $3.00 Time: 2:00-3:00pm

Beginning Straw Work: A Har\'st Knot Even as fugitive a material as straw can still leave remains in the medieval record. There are many images of straw hats. There are even a few extant examples in the archaeological finds. We will learn the basic techniques of straw work by making a traditional Hairst or Harvest Knot. Give it as a token of affection or thanks or keep it as a symbol the harvest is done. Instructor: Magistra Sigrid Briansdotter Class size: limit 10. Materials cost: $1.00 Time: 3:00-4:00pm

Children’s Class: Making Butter in a Jar Come learn the secret of turning milk into tasty butter! This particular activity is limited to twelve; however, it will be immediately followed by other fun activities for all children. Instructor: Lady Kalara Zrinyi Time: 1:00 p.m.

Arts & Sciences Competitions: Prizes will be awarded in the categories listed below. All items must be entered by 11:30 a.m. to allow sufficient time for judging. Documentation is always encouraged and will earn you additional points with the judges!

Bread and Butter Competition: Do you like to make bread and/or butter!? Great! We like to eat it! Come show off your baking skills by entering the bread and butter competition! Entries for display and consumption only are also welcome.

Any Thing Irish (Themed Competition) Have you been working on any A&S Projects in keeping with our theme? Terrific! Come share your work (in any medium) with us! There will be prizes awarded in two categories: Novice and Experienced. Entries for display only are also welcome.

Bardic Competition (Also Anything Irish) in Three Rounds: Do you have a story to tell, an instrument to play, or a song to sing? Please come entertain us! Non- competitive performances are also welcome. We are a friendly audience! Round I: 1:00 p.m. Round II: 3:00 p.m. Round III: 4:30 p.m. For more information concerning Arts & Sciences activities, please contact Lady Erennach the Lost at moas[AT]lochmere.atlantia.sca.org

Cost:   
        Adult, Member:          $11.00 Day-Trip $10.00 Feast    $0.00 Camping
        Adult, Non-Member:  $16.00 Day-Trip $10.00 Feast    $0.00 Camping
        Youth (5-17):             $  5.00 Day-Trip  $10.00 Feast    $0.00 Camping
        Child (0-4):                $  0.00 Day-Trip  $0.00 Feast     $0.00 Camping

Make Checks Payable To:  SCA-MD, Inc., Barony of Lochmere

Cost Notes:  Family rate of $32 covers site fees for two parents and two children (5-17). Food and non-member surcharge are not included in this discount rate. We will also be offering lunch for $3 per person.

Site:  St. Martin’s in-the-Field Episcopal Church 375 Benfield Rd Severna Park, MD 21146

Site Restrictions:  NO pets except working animals. Site is handicapped accessible. Site is wet—beer and wine only. Buildings are smoke-free: those who smoke are asked to use the ashtrays available outside Parish Hall and Heck Hall. Candles may be used only if flame is enclosed. Site opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM.

Feast Information:  Lady Lisette la Rouxe will provide a delicious (and researched!) Irish feast for up to 70 people. Feast space is limited, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Additionally we are offering a light lunch separate from feast. For dietary concerns or questions, contact her.

First Remove: Oatcakes, Brown Bread, Butter of various flavors (garlic, onion, and honey), Pea and Ham Soup, Cheese

Second Remove: Smoked Ham, Honey Roasted Parsnips, Boiled cabbage with butter and bacon, Smoked Salmon

Third Remove: Lamb Stew with onions and root vegetables, Boiled Buttered Whole Leeks, Peas in Butter

Last remove: Honey and Blackberry Curd Cakes, Roasted Apples with Honey and Spice

Documentation provided at the event

Other Information:  The bag game will be played throughout the day. A prize will be given to the one with the most valuable objects by day’s end.

Event Steward\'s Information:  Doña Elena Margareda de la Vega y Serrano (Dorothy Ortiz), 10962 Trotting Ridge Way, Columbia, MD 21044,  Phone: (859) 3278377, E-mail: chavaira[AT]gmail.com

Reservations:  Lady Gwen verch Llywelyn (Stefanie Fogle), , , MD ,  Phone: (317) 345-2709, E-mail:  kanamidori[AT]gmail.com

Directions: 

From the north: Take best route to I-97 South. Take exit 10A for Benfield Boulevard E toward Veterans Hwy/Severna Park. Site is on the right after 3.5 miles.

From the south: Take best route to I-97 North. Take exit 10 for Veterans Hwy toward Benfield Blvd/Severna Park. Turn left on to Veterans Hwy and make first right on to Benfield Blvd. Site is on the right after 3.5 miles.