Ian Collier at The Tolkien Society:
More Fun in The Shire Park: 13th-14th May 2006
This is the seventh Tolkien Weekend event, and the theme for this year’s event is “The Shire” is now an annual item in the Birmingham calendar. Sarehole Mill itself was the “original” for the Mill at Bywater in the Shire in The Lord of the Rings and is a central point in the Shire Country Park that covers the River Cole, Chinn Brook, as well as Moseley Bog, the Dell and the Dingles where JRR Tolkien played as a child.
Entertainments and Activities for visitors include:
- Displays from The Tolkien Society and Birmingham Libraries about Tolkien’s life and works within the mill itself which will have a miller demonstrating his craft with the mill’s greater wheel running
- Shire Productions will perform excerpts from The Hobbit in the new Performance Arena, which is also the location for watching the Re-enactment Societies and the Morris Dancers
- The Tolkien Tent will feature Birmingham Central Library’s new exhibition “Tolkien’s Boyhood in Birmingham”, Elvish lessons (speaking Sindarin and writing Tengwar), displays from Isengard (the Birmingham Tolkien Society group), Games Workshop games and Philip Coker reading The Scouring of the Shire.
- The Unexpected Party Café is opens to serve teas, refreshments and entertainment from: the Green Man Storyteller; folk musicians; Stuart Estell and Allan Recardo (former Birmingham Poets Laureate); Chris Adderley reading from Beowulf and “Open Mic” sessions with Paul Woodward. Write Fantastic, a group of SF writers including Stan Nicholls, Chaz Brenchley, and Mark Chadbourn will be interviewed about how J.R.R. Tolkien has influenced their work.
- The Ent on the green behind the Mill is the starting point for the many popular themed walks, each with their own expert guide, around The Shire Country Park, taking in Moseley Bog, the River Cole, Moseley School, around themes of wildlife, Tolkien’s childhood haunts, nature or archaeology.
- Discover the Birmingham’s Two Towers, Perrott’s Folly and the Water Board Chimney by vinatge bus plus there are two new locations to visit on the Tolkien Trail. On Saturday the destination is The Oratory where the Tolkiens attended Mass (as well as the magnificent church, there’s a tour of Cardinal Newman’s Library). On Sunday there is a rare opportunity to visit King Edward’s School and see their Tolkien archive display, his name on the Honours Board and the chapel built from the stones of the old school that he attended in central Birmingham.
- You can shop in the Craft Marquees or at the award winning Moseley Farmers’ Market. There is a Children’s’ Activity Tent with a wand workshop, henna/temporary tattoos and a willow workshop and out on the field there are amusements for younger children, train rides, treasure trails, archery, a coconut shy, woodland crafts, Wythall Radio Society and the Ranger Encampment.
This unique event now attracts 10,000 visitors and offers a weekend of fun for all the family. 11 am – 5 pm Admission free both days.
Visit birmingham.gov.uk or tolkiensociety.org/t_wend
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Celebriel reports: Vacaville’s second Middle Earth Festival, April 21-23, 2006, offered a weekend full of varied activities to appeal to both die-hard Ringers and novices alike, including music and song, crafts, Tolkien discussion forums, and fun stuff including a costume contest, trivia contest, Hairy Foot contest, Gollum impersonation contest (one entry form to be shared by both personalities), evening party, and slide show of the New Zealand film locations. Also on scene were lots of Ren-Faire type vendors, food vendors, and, of course, Downtown Vacaville’s own many shops and restaurants. [More]
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A dark, menacing figure approached a young, cherubic-faced child who was apprehensively holding a gold-colored ring Saturday on the sidewalk of Vacaville’s Main Street. The black-cloaked and hooded figure said nothing as he stood stoically with one armored hand on his sheathed sword – ready to take the ring. The barefooted child – dressed positively hobbit-like with dark curls framing his face – and not sure whether to flee or fight, asked the same question that the character he was portraying may have asked. [More]
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Vacaville, CA – Hear ye! Hear ye! On April 21-23, 2006, the second annual Middle Earth Festival will come to life in historic Downtown Vacaville to celebrate author J. R. R. Tolkien and “The Lord of the Rings”. This fun-filled family event includes a fun run and forums on the themes of Tolkien. Saturday and Sunday activities include craft and merchandise vendors, entertainment, and games for the kids, demonstrations of old time skills, music, dance, fantasy and abundant food. Take part in one of many trivia contests or enjoy the antics of the Gollum impersonation contest, and seek the best costumed elf, dwarf, hobbit and other dwellers of Middle Earth! Admission and most festival activities are free. [More]
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Among the medieval entertainers, hawkers and vendors at the Middle Earth Festival in Downtown Vacaville on April 22 & 23, there will be a surprise – a Green, Eco-Friendly vendor area. Visitors will discover advanced technology vehicles such as the Honda Civic GX (dedicated compressed natural gas) and a unique home refueling appliance on display.
J.R.R. Tolkien was not a fan of the internal combustion engine, but he did care for the good, green, clean earth. In that spirit, there will be information on recycling, environmental education, and clean air. Pending are demonstrations of all-battery electric vehicles. This includes the NGM (no more gas) vehicle formerly known as The Sparrow, a single passenger, three wheeled electric vehicle.
A City of Vacaville representative, Ed Huestis, will be on hand with the green vendors. Mr. Huestis is the Transportation Systems Manager who oversees the city’s electric and compressed natural gas vehicle programs. He will have information on the incentives available for clean air vehicles.
On Saturday, which is Earth Day, staff from the city’s recycling, and environmental education programs will have activities for children.
The Middle Earth Festival, a unique celebration of J.R.R. Tolkien and The Lord of the Rings, will have arts, crafts, and merchandise vendors, entertainment, food, games for the kids, contests, and music. There will also be forums on the themes of Tolkien, a Troll Stroll, and Demonstrations of Old Time Skills. There is no admission charge for this family oriented festival. Most activities are free.
For more information on the green eco-friendly aspect of the festival, please contact Betty Lucke at (707) 448-1021 or Ed Huestis at (707) 449-5424. For general information on the festival, go to www.middleearthfestival.com or contact the Downtown Office at (707) 451-2100.
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Isabel writes: Here is some info on a LOTR Trilogy screenin at the Arlington Cinema n’ Drafthouse (in Northern Virginia): Watch for your favorite Movie or stay for ALL THREE. Enjoy Lord of the Rings again on the BIG SCREEN! The Festival is open all day, please feel free to come at any time. We encourage you to come dressed as your favorite character. [More]
When: Sunday, April 30th, 2006 from 12PM to 10PM
Price: $7 ($8 at the Door)
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