Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Medieval Festival to Turn Fort Tryon Park into 'Game of Thrones'

By Nigel Chiwaya | August 12, 2013 3:23pm
  Over 60,000 people are expected to attend the 29th annual festival on Sept. 29.
Medieval Festival Returns for 29th Year
View Full Caption

HUDSON HEIGHTS — Game of Thrones fans will feel right at home at this festival.

Life in the Middle Ages will be brought to life — complete with giant dragon puppets and armored knights jousting on horseback when the popular Medieval Festival returns to Washington Heights next month.

Now in its 29th year, the festival will treat visitors to a medieval marketplace complete with minstrels, jugglers and jesters in period costume, when it takes over a part of Fort Tryon Park near the Cloisters on Sept. 29.

There will be several new events at this year's festival, including a 30-minute comedy based on the works of William Shakespeare, a performance by the American Medieval Combat Team, a puppet show called "The Dragon Prince" and two giant puppet dragons that will walk around the festival, according to Dennis Reeder, executive director of the Washington Heights and Inwood Development Corp. and the organizer of the event.

The festival draws about 60,000 visitors each year, and while last year's numbers were depressed because of poor weather, Reeder said that he expected the crowds to be back in full force in September.

"Last year was the first time it ever rained," Reeder said. "This year if it's a sunny day we should have around 65,000 people."

The Medieval Festival will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 29.  The event is free to the public. For more information, visit the WHIDC website.