PATRON INTERVIEW
FAIRE ORGANIZER AND VENDOR INTERVIEWS
What is there left to be said about DAVID TIMMONS' KING ARTHUR FAIRE? It spawned many acts that perform and flourish at Renaissance faires today. It left a legacy with those performers and others. I was inspired to start my website and promote small Oklahoma faires after its departure.
August, 2009
1. What was the name of your event?
The King Arthur Faire.
2. Was it focused on any particular era, place, event or person?
Historic and Legendary 5th Century Britain in the Reign of King Arthur.
3. How long did your faire run?
1999 to 2006.
4. What inspired you to establish your realm?
Every Fair visitor wants to meet a knight in shining armor who represents the ideals of Knighthood, Arthur being the epitomie of Knighthood was a logical choice.
5. What does it take to get such an event started?
Time, Money and dedicated teamwork.
6. Who are some of the more critical people or entities to coordinate with?
Health Department, Utilities Services, Local and regional media.
7. Did you schedule your faire around other events in the area?
Yes we avoided the State Fair and smaller events.
8. What made your faire unique?
It was character driven versus shopping oriented or drink-till-u-puke events. It taught the virtues of Chivalry to the audience in an interactive not staged way.
9. What other things have you organized?
Halloween Festivals and family events for the community.
10. Do you perform or have a booth at other festivals?
Not anymore.
11. What are some of the funniest things that happened at your faire?
The School of Staged Combat performing a Medieval adaptation of Star Wars.
12. What gave you the most satisfaction about your event?
Watching the core team of Kid volunteers take the values of knighthood and applying them to their lives, often without knowing it.
13. Do you have anything to add?
It was one of a kind.
DAVID RUFF/STICKBOW ARCHERY sold me a longbow at the Four Winds Faire in 2010. That bow is awesome. It shoots very well & was very affordable and well crafted. I get lots of compliments on it everywhere I go. David’s crew is very accommodating and has been happy to work with me.
www.stickbowarchery.com
When and why did you start making bows?
I started making bows in 2001 seriously, it was due to a guy in Dallas stating a good bow could not ever come from a stave bought at Lowe’s or HomeDepot.... 12 staves later I was making good bows.
Which one is your personal favorite?
Personal favorite of the bows I make? Yikes..... I think I am partial to a good short asian hybrid bow...
How old were you when you began archery?
I worked all summer for my first bow at the age of 13. A 50# Browning Nomad stalker II - I wish I still had that bow or the same bow.
Does anyone in your family also shoot bows?
My fiance’, stepson and sister do.
Are there any famous archers or bowcrafters that you admire? Why?
I admire Saluki all the way.... I love his bows and hope to become half as good as he is in my lifetime.
Who was your first teacher? Other teachers?
No one really taught me how to build bows - other than reading internet forums, trial and error. Although the Bowyers Bibles vol 1 - 4 have helped me fine tune the art.
Please describe your first bow. Other bows that you have had.
A Browning Nomad stalker II 50# recurve.... The rest I have had or have I have made with very rare exception.
What are your fondest archery memories? In your neighborhood or town? At a faire?
Age 13 in 1984 traveling Kiger Island Oregon late at night shooting at opossums. Back in those days a kid at night was not a bad thing.
Have you been in competitions? Any prizes?
I shot semi professionally in the 90's. Took a few wins here and there. :)
How often do you perform in public? Please describe those occasions. Competitions? Demonstrations?
I perform demos at fair from time to time making period self bows with a shave horse and draw knife. Will be doing it again this coming week at Muskogee castle.
Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition?
When I shot competition I got nervous but the second I stepped up it was all ok.
What advice would you give to beginners who are nervous?
Relax, what is going to be, is going to come... Just do what you have practiced and it will all come together.
Do you teach archery?
Used to. :) I have toyed with the thought from time to time.
How do you balance selling longbows with other obligations - mate, children?
HA! Well I work from home - that is the shop is at home... I enjoy markets and faires with the fiancé. So it all works well.
Do you also run a Renaissance faire or competition?
Run as in own? No.