Ye Olde May Fest & “The Merry Wives of Windsor”

Here ye, here ye! Let it be known far and wide “Ye Olde May Fest” beckons thee for revelry, feasting and discovery to fill even an ol’ Bard with glee. (Rumor has it his “Merry Wives of Windsor” will be in town for the special occasion!)

All ages, peasants and nobles shall rub elbows at this grand event where mirth awaits at every turn. Best of all, entry to the pageantry shall not cost you even a pence.

WHEN
May 19 (Sunday) 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

🎟 ADMISSION
Free!

  SUNDAY. MAY 19
11:00a    Fest opens!
Archery,  Green Screen Wizardry, Maypole, Merry Merchant Row, Kids’ Crafting Kingdom, Stockade, Community Mural, Scavenger Hunt, Air Brush Tattoo Artist, Royal Throne Photo Op, Food & Spirits.

🎵 11:00a    Tunes from Eric of Campbell (aka Rick Metz) (pavilion)
📸  11:00a    Castle & Dragon Green Screen Wizardry courtesy of Joliet Public Library (lobby)
🏹  11:00a    Try-Me Archery courtesy of BowDoc (right of stairs along the bluff)
🧙‍♂️ 11:30a    El Mago Magical Wizard (pavilion)
👑 12:00p   Royal Parade & Coronation of Guests (pavilion) followed by Maypole Dancing (by fountain) 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️
🦾 12:30p   Medievalist (courtesy of Xander Sobecki) & His Suit of Armor (pavilion)
🧙‍♂️ 1:00p     El Mago Magical Wizard (pavilion)
🎵  1:30p     Tunes from Eric of Campbell (aka Rick Metz) (pavilion)
🎭 2:00p     MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (bandshell, hill seating)
🦾 3:00p     Medievalist (courtesy of Xander Sobecki) & His Suit of Armor (pavilion)
🎵 4:30p     Tunes from Eric of Campbell (aka Rick Metz) (pavilion)
👋 5:00p     Fest bids farewell ’til next year!

📜 ABOUT
“Shakespeare & Art In The Park” from previous years has gone through a renaissance the whole family will enjoy! So, what’s new? More activities for more ages! We’ve broaden the appeal to even non-Shakespeare fans . . .yet.

🎪 The outdoor grounds will take on the look of an outdoor medieval fair featuring a large Maypole, parade of royalty, kids’ make-n-take crafting kingdom, stockade (next to the kids’ area, of course!) alchemist, archery, magician, Medievalist and his suit of armor, green screen magic with a castle and dragon, community mural project (add your touch!), live music, merchants, food and refreshments.

  “MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR”
SUNDAY, May 19 at 2:00 pm
(Bandshell)
The cornerstone is still the Bard himself, Shakespeare! Falstaff (played here by Jake Thomas) decides to fix his financial woe by seducing the wives of two wealthy merchants. The wives find he sent them identical letters and take revenge by playing tricks on Falstaff when he comes calling. Bring blankets and chairs for hill seating by the bandshell.

MORE FOR ALL AGES!

TRY-ME ARCHERY BY BOWDOC ARCHERY
SUNDAY, May 19 starting at 11:00 am
(Right of stairs, along the bluff)
Guests can try archery with the experts! We’re excited to have BowDoc Archery of Mokena here, especially National Champion Coach CHRISSIE LYONS! She’s a recurve barebow shooter and world record setter. Archery is enjoyed by kids as well as adults. Come learn about different types of bows, their history and the proper technique. Their team is very excited to be here!

TUNES from ERIC OF CAMPBELL (aka Rick Metz, seen here with his wife/ best roadie Chris Metz)
SUNDAY at 11:00 am, 1:30 pm & 4:30 pm
(Pavilion)
His tunes will have you humming and the lyrics a’ giggling . . . especially his little ditty about the kilt! Many will recognize him as Rick Metz, whose love of people and performing will lift your spirits and maybe doing a jig!

EL MAGO the MAGICAL WIZARD
SUNDAY at 11:30 am & 1:00 pm on the pavilion
The amazing El Mago will be here! Even if you seen him before (he’s performed for many local schools, private parties and organizations), this is the first time he’s performing as a WIZARD!

MEDIEVALIST XANDER & HIS SUIT OF ARMOR
SUNDAY at 12:30 pm 3:00 pm
(Pavilion)
Xander Sobecki is a Western Martial Artist and historian focusing on medieval combat in the 14th century. He has spent a decade training in Italian longsword and other weapons, with firsthand experience in the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of fighting like a knight. This presentation features a battle-ready suit of medieval armor based on surviving relics from 1420. Learn how this armor came to be, who wore it, and even try on the helmet!

GREEN SCREEN WIZARDRY
by JOLIET PUBLIC LIBRARY’S DIGITAL MEDIA DEPARTMENT
SUNDAY 11:00 am – 2:00 pm in the lobby
You told them you were going downtown, but it’ll look like you time traveled! Get your picture taken in front of the green screen and let digital wizardry send you back to the land of dragons and castles! Josh Phillips, Manager of Joliet Public Library’s Digital Media Studio, and his talented team will transform your May Fest moment into a magical image you’ll receive later as a special memento.

🚗 FREE PARKING
South of the Jefferson Street bridge (immediate right before crossing) and off the Cass Street bridge (immediate left after crossing).

⛈ INCLEMENT WEATHER
The play will be moved indoors to the theatre.

💗 Event sponsored by the STRANGE & UNUSUAL GALLERY downtown Joliet.

Special thanks to:
The Joliet Drama Guild
Joliet Public Library
Joliet Noon Lions Club
WriteOn Joliet
After the Peanut program and Dr. Natalie Coleman
Bow Doc Archery

☎ CONTACT
bipark@joliet.gov
815-724-3761