Note: event tickets not available at the gates and must be purchased online.
It is that time of the year where we go medieval at the Abbey Medieval Festival where thousands of pilgrims will get a taste of what life was like in the Middle Ages in Europe and the Middle East, from 600 to 1600AD.
Jousting, food vendors, merchants, re-enactors and performers are all on in the action over the 3 day festival with day 1 being the Medieval Family Fund Day (Friday July 2) especially for kids and families.
There will be plenty to do and see at the festival with dancing, music, lectures, animals, crafts, games, markets, encampments, weapons of war, archery, skills at arms, jesters, juggling, and of course Turkish oil wrestling! Why not dress up in your favourite medieval costume and get the full experience?
It isn’t everyday that you can tell friends that you saw a world champion Jouster but that is exactly what you will see at this years festival.
The roster includes current world champion Phil Leitch and his 19-year-old daughter Mieka Leitch from Victoria, who will go head to head with jousters from Queensland and New South Wales for the 2021 joust title!
As one of the world’s youngest professional jousters, Mieka is sustaining the legacy of her world champion father. She has keenly followed in her father’s footsteps, and from a young age she has been travelling for tournaments, learning as a squire and gaining insider knowledge about life and the tactics of a world champion jouster.
Edith Cuffe, Director of the Abbey Museum and the Medieval Festival, is excited for this year's joust. “There is so much to do and see at Festival, but the joust is certainly a crowd favourite. It's an honour to host some of the best jousters in Australia. It adds incredible energy to the immersive feeling the Festival creates for our visitors" said Edith. "It's all part of taking a step back in time. It is a fascinating experience to wander through the encampments of 800 re-enactors, learn about different foods, crafts, and trades of the Middle Ages” continued Edith. The joust will begin on Friday during the Medieval Family Fun Day and continue into Tournament Weekend as jousters accumulate points in a round robin format. The highest scoring three jousters will then battle for the title in the final match on the Sunday.
In addition to the medieval festival you can also visit the Abbey Museum of Art and Archeology, Monday to Saturday 10am - 4pm.
Tickets are limited and are only available online at
www.abbeymedievalfestival.com/2021-tickets/ (jousting tickets are sold separately).
