June 2024 - Follow-Up: Traveling to a More Magical Time at the Third Annual NM Renaissance Celtic Festival
By “Dame” Samantha Nagel
The Third Annual NM Renaissance Celtic Festival took place in Edgewood, New Mexico, from April 5-7, and featured Scottish Clan tents, trades, merchants, food vendors, beer taverns, knights, a tomato toss, archery, and festival quest adventures. There were five different stages hosting performances throughout the days: the Medieval Barn, Queens Court Gazebo, Time Traveler Amphitheater, Fantasy Stage, and Shipwreck Cove Stage which showcased Celtic, Medieval, Pirate, Viking, and Time Traveler celebrations from across the world.
I started my day by witnessing the Order of Epona challenge each other in games of skill to win the hearts of the crowd and Mary Queen of Scots, then headed over to Jim Mackenzie's tent, the Comedian with Mad Skills, where he juggled flaming sticks while making everyone laugh. “Only at a Renaissance Fair is it acceptable to see a man chug a bear at 10:30 in the morning!” Mackenzie had announced before balancing a beer glass on a stick, then putting that stick on his forehead while playing the fiddle. I continued onward, after stopping at many vendor booths, including Owlery Wand Shoppe, Little Toad Creek Brewery, and even learned how to hold a sword properly, I found myself at the amphitheater listening to the most beautiful sounds of a band I later learned was called Celtica Nova.
Celtica Nova is a bagpipe driven Celtic hard rock band made of musicians from all over the world. Their music is influenced by sounds Irish Folk, Symphonic Metal, Gothic, and Celtic. I spoke with the Dame of Drones, a member of the band, who told me that the NM Festival is “more family oriented than your average Celtic festival.”
The Dame of Drones and I bonded at the accuracy of Catt Greenwall Allen’s cup reading skills, as we had both received a Turkish coffee cup reading at the Psychic Armory Turkish Coffee and Tea Shop. Allen, who is also a talented belly and sword dancer who later performed with the Shamshir Sword and Dance Troop, was an absolute delight to meet and get to know. Allen’s mother immigrated from Iran, and she is the fourth generation of the women in her family to learn how to read coffee cups and is currently teaching her children – as well as those who want to learn more at The Hub in Albuquerque.
After watching Allen perform with her troop, which was an amazing show full of dancing and swords on fire balancing atop heads, I met Cassie Sanchez, an award-winning fantasy author of The Darkness Trilogy, who grew up in New Mexico.
One of the highlights of my day was meeting Mary Queen of Scots, who hosted daily Kids Knighting ceremonies. Queen Mary very generously knighted me as well, making me “Dame Samantha.”
While it saddens me that I didn’t get to experience all the incredible vendors and performances, it brings me relief to know that there are more events coming soon! Learn more about NM Renaissance Celtic Festival at https://nmrenceltfest.com/.
Feels like I was there with Sam! Truly captured the spirit of the faire.