I must have been a drag queen in a former life

I so thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Boar's Head Festival. It is all about pageantry and drama and music. It's the oldest continuously running Christmas festival and boy, do they do it right. There are a hundred or more people in 14th century costume, a great light show and an orchestra and choir. I must have been a drag queen in another life, I enjoyed it so much.

Beefeaters, nuns, sprites, orphans, huntsmen (me), pages, trumpeters, good King Wenceslas, the Three Wise Men, shepherds, jugglers, jesters, ladies-in-waiting...what a production.

Anyone in the mood for a little Blue Nun?

She lead the orphans in the procession, and they were too cute...all dirty and scruffy, with crutches and cups to beg for change.One of the Beefeaters
Good Lord. This costume consisted of:

Tights

Knitted boot things

Baggy pantaloons

Linen shirt

Linen sash

Leather belt

Felt hat with feathers

A cape trimmed in bear "fur".

It must have weighted 20 pounds.

I was supposed to be a huntsMAN, but I really don't think I looked like one.

I was hot as hell under all that. And the stage makeup was heavy.

I had two pages who followed behind me in the procession, and one of them, Bailey, took this picture for me. Good Lord.

And I can't wait to do it again. It was just so cool and dramatic and flamboyant. My favorite part was at the end:

We are all on the stage, in front of the alter, and above the alter is a painting of the Christ Child, Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist, and someone else I can't remember. As the King began to bow, we all followed suit, going all the way to the floor (not an easy task for me, what with holding Lucy our Peregrine Falcon). Then, as one, we rose from the floor and as the most heavenly music swelled around us, we lifted our gifts (trumpets, staffs, bows, holly and I lifted Lucy) to the Christ Child. Wow.

And I have to say that Lucy was the star of the show. Not because I think so, but all the comments I received from the audience and the players alike. Everyone was just floored when I walked down the aisle with Lucy...and Lucy must have a bit of showman in her: She was pretty calm, considering all the commotion, but would lift her wings and flap away as we went along. I didn't even have to do our little trick of tipping my hand so she puts her wings out for balance. She did it all herself. What a good bird.

And speaking of birds...

Junior finally made his move tonight. I had finished at RAPTOR and was about to get into my car (Junior had been on the ground about 20 feet from the car, eating something) and he did his hooting, displaying thing, took off and came at me, trying to land on my head. If I hadn't been prepared (I had my gloves on, and was able to cover my head with them) he could have really hurt me.

So now, I think something has to be done with him. I will keep all of you posted.