meako
Gold Member
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2006
- Messages
- 9,911
Having seen this festival advertised in the paper I decided to pack my sons into the car on the last weekend of the school hols and venture over the Blue Mountains to Ironfest 2014. The promise of jousting, sword play,Napoleonic war reenactment,Falconry,forging ,smithing ,art and performance was too tempting. We hired a little car for the Missus to get to and from work for the weekend, organised to stay with friends who reside in Katoomba (about 1/2 hr drive from Lithgow) and off we went.Its almost a three hour drive from here.The roads were busy due to ANZAC day being Friday and everyone turning it into a long weekend. The Great Western Highway which carries you over the Mountains has been undergoing a road widening operation since about 1840 and so in parts was a snails pace.
Eventually arriving at Katoomba we settled in ready for an early start on Saturday. I had purchased online tickets for one day in order to avoid queuing.There wasn't a massive queue as we arrived before the gates opened. In we go.
There was as I expected a large amount of crap that turns up at any festival no matter how unrelated to the theme and that we can not seem to function without.
Ignoring the pleas of my youngest to start spending like a sailor was fairly easy-"No you are not having your hand made in wax! No we are not buying chips on stick! No its 9 oclock in the morning you are not getting a frozen coke slushy!! Where's the Coffee?"
We did eventually find some smithing and forging going on of the wrought iron kind and some knives and axes for sale. I found 3 knife makers there whose wares were handmade and I liked the look of but way out my price range.Some very beautiful blades of various design and styles. I was tempted by a knifemaker from Nowra but as his workshop is only 40 minutes drive from where I live I put it on the backburner for a future visit-I might add that car registration and insurance is due next month
There was a myriad of metalwork art which was very interesting and some reasonably priced-from furniture to insects something for everyone. Walking around the showground was great fun due to the "steampunk" enthusiasts and historical reenactors getting about in full regalia.
I asked this civil war guy if he would take his pic of the WW1 guys on his phone again for me which he cheerfully agreed to and we had a chat about his activities on the day a laugh about the historical inaccuracy of smartphones during the English civil war. All of the people involved in this part of the Fest were great and only too happy to talk about their roles and their costumes. The colourful parade of steampunks would strike a pose for a pic if requested and this openness made the atmosphere buzz with friendly excitement for kids of all ages.
On the downside there were vendors selling overpriced junk alongside the expensive repro armour and swords.I saw Chinese damascus camp axe knives which had been handled with bone and tagged with a 700% markup compared to the ebay price.They looked great.There was plenty of this stuff on offer. Caveat emptor.
There was loads of activities for kids (and grownups) including archery,wooden sword making which was neither cheap nor expensive and looked like fun.But it all adds up doesn't it? I personally could have gone credit card crazee in the first half hour.
One of the highlights was making chainmail.The young guy running this was infinitely patient with the kids and worked hard to ensure all who participated had fun and learned a bit AND it was free!Good on you.
I can rightly say from experience that chainmail making is an absorbing pastime.
Another thing that stood out about Ironfest is that it was fairly laid back. Security was not obvious which is always good. The crowd wasn't HUGE but it was busy and thats good.
Some beautifully restored WW2 vehicles were on display and parade
.The musketry displays were LOUD and exciting .The battle reenactments took place with hearty energy and gusto.
Eventually after several hours of wheedling,whinging,asking politely,mentioning in case I'd forgotten, offering to show me something reaally good that I would like and general hinting I succumbed.
I recommend Ironfest as a great adventure to take the family especially for youngsters .It boils over with the enthusiasm of the participants and everyone is having fun.
Now then ,who's for a slice of Lamington roll?
Eventually arriving at Katoomba we settled in ready for an early start on Saturday. I had purchased online tickets for one day in order to avoid queuing.There wasn't a massive queue as we arrived before the gates opened. In we go.
There was as I expected a large amount of crap that turns up at any festival no matter how unrelated to the theme and that we can not seem to function without.
Ignoring the pleas of my youngest to start spending like a sailor was fairly easy-"No you are not having your hand made in wax! No we are not buying chips on stick! No its 9 oclock in the morning you are not getting a frozen coke slushy!! Where's the Coffee?"
We did eventually find some smithing and forging going on of the wrought iron kind and some knives and axes for sale. I found 3 knife makers there whose wares were handmade and I liked the look of but way out my price range.Some very beautiful blades of various design and styles. I was tempted by a knifemaker from Nowra but as his workshop is only 40 minutes drive from where I live I put it on the backburner for a future visit-I might add that car registration and insurance is due next month
There was a myriad of metalwork art which was very interesting and some reasonably priced-from furniture to insects something for everyone. Walking around the showground was great fun due to the "steampunk" enthusiasts and historical reenactors getting about in full regalia.
I asked this civil war guy if he would take his pic of the WW1 guys on his phone again for me which he cheerfully agreed to and we had a chat about his activities on the day a laugh about the historical inaccuracy of smartphones during the English civil war. All of the people involved in this part of the Fest were great and only too happy to talk about their roles and their costumes. The colourful parade of steampunks would strike a pose for a pic if requested and this openness made the atmosphere buzz with friendly excitement for kids of all ages.
On the downside there were vendors selling overpriced junk alongside the expensive repro armour and swords.I saw Chinese damascus camp axe knives which had been handled with bone and tagged with a 700% markup compared to the ebay price.They looked great.There was plenty of this stuff on offer. Caveat emptor.
There was loads of activities for kids (and grownups) including archery,wooden sword making which was neither cheap nor expensive and looked like fun.But it all adds up doesn't it? I personally could have gone credit card crazee in the first half hour.
One of the highlights was making chainmail.The young guy running this was infinitely patient with the kids and worked hard to ensure all who participated had fun and learned a bit AND it was free!Good on you.
I can rightly say from experience that chainmail making is an absorbing pastime.
Another thing that stood out about Ironfest is that it was fairly laid back. Security was not obvious which is always good. The crowd wasn't HUGE but it was busy and thats good.
Some beautifully restored WW2 vehicles were on display and parade
Eventually after several hours of wheedling,whinging,asking politely,mentioning in case I'd forgotten, offering to show me something reaally good that I would like and general hinting I succumbed.
I recommend Ironfest as a great adventure to take the family especially for youngsters .It boils over with the enthusiasm of the participants and everyone is having fun.
Now then ,who's for a slice of Lamington roll?
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