Medieval Festival Set Saturday at A&M International

A chance to travel back in time to see dancing maidens, wandering minstrels and theatre troupes will take place this Saturday at Texas A&M International University as the University hosts its first-ever "Medieval Festival" from 1-7 p.m.

The event is co-sponsored by the University's Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society and by the Student Government Association and is free of charge and open to the public.

Organizers say the event is intended to showcase the culture and literature of the Middle Ages.

Organizer Gema Paredes, member of Sigma Tau Delta and a senior English major at the University, said a recent celebration of the English poet Chaucer's 600th anniversary prompted the event.

"We recently celebrated Chaucer's 600th anniversary and thought we should follow with a more comprehensive observation," Paredes explained.

In addition to University groups, local high school English, social studies, drama, art, music and dance departments and other performance groups will present dancing, music and drama.

Also scheduled are a costume contest, a Middle English Reading Contest, a bagpipe performance, an art contest with a medieval theme, snack booths, puppet shows, games and special demonstrations and displays.

Faculty sponsors for the Sigma Tau Delta are Dr. Robert Haynes, associate professor English and Nicki Cone, visiting instructor of English.

For additional information please contact Paredes at 724.4456 or by email at gemaparedes@hotmail.com or Cone at 326.2647 or by email at ncone@tamiu.edu.

University office hours are from 8 a.m - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu