MONTAGUE — The story that Mutton & Mead has been telling since the festival’s start in 2011 is ending with the marriage of Robin Hood and Maid Marion this year.
“It’s going to be a wedding celebration within the festival, which is itself a celebration,” said Mutton & Mead’s Artistic Director Dave Agro.
The festival is open Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Millers Falls Rod and Gun Club, 210 Turners Falls Road. A full schedule of events can be found at muttonandmead.org.
But the end of the Robin Hood story is not the end of the festival, Agro said. Organizers have not yet decided what will happen next year — whether they will reboot the Robin Hood story, or start something entirely different.
In past years, the Sheriff of Nottingham has come up with some scheme against the shire, and it’s been up to Robin Hood to outsmart the sheriff and deal with him.
“Robin Hood likes to save the day, but he likes to do it with style, with a little humor,” Agro said.
This year there’s a new sheriff, drawn in by rumors that evil can be accomplished in the shire. But when he arrives, everyone is happy, much to his disappointment.
“The sheriff is having some issues with that,” Agro said.
For this year’s culminating festival, the story will reference Robin Hood’s past adventures, Agro said.
Popular entertainment from the past will also come back. Organizers expect a warm reception for the Wheel of Death, which Agro describes as a giant hamster wheel, performed inside of and on top of by a juggler.
About 80 vendors will sell medieval-themed goods, like leather, toys, clothing, jewelry, armor and swords.
“I’m not gonna lie, I do my Christmas shopping at the festival,” Agro said.
There will also be participatory demonstrations. A local blacksmithing guild will demonstrate their work, and let attendees try basic tin-smithing. An educational program on birds of prey will focus on how the birds were used in medieval times.
To those who are excited about the festival, organizers encourage them to consider getting involved in future years.
“We’re really looking for people to bring their creative energy and their creative talents to the table,” Agro said.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-772-0261 ex 261.