Pike County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development District members and supporters who attended the organization’s annual meeting on Thursday were transported back in time with a program led by the founder of the Louisiana Renaissance Festival in Hammond.
After music by Brandy Hightower and an introduction of incoming and outgoing chamber and district officers, Alvon Brumfield demonstrated some magic tricks and gave a presentation on the 10-year-old Renaissance festival in Louisiana — the largest one of its kind between Texas and Florida.
Joining Brumfield were numerous festival cast members, who also were dressed in costumes from the Renaissance period between 1400 and 1600.
The Louisiana festival is held each weekend in November at the permanent site between Hammond and Robert, La., and features 20 stage shows each day.
The Royal Village of Albright features a living history center with daylong demonstrations of crafts such as candlemaking, glassblowing and blacksmithing.
Entertainment includes an award-winning puppet show, which is held on what Brumfield boasted is one of the best puppet stages in America; hammer dulcimer demonstrations; jugglers, magicians, dog and pony shows, bagpipers, singers, and an interactive kids’ show.
“We’ve created an entire village, with horsemanship, music — everyday living and everyday people,” Brumfield said.
A falconer works daily with birds, jousters ride on horseback giving sword demonstrations, and villagers dressed in elaborate costumes roam the grounds greeting guests. One of the special cast members is “Queen Elizabeth,” whose costumes can weigh up to 55 pounds.
The festival offers three student days each year, with special discounts for school groups.
Brumfield said he’s particularly proud to help educate and entertain youngsters.
“Kids are starving for things like this,” he said.
For more information about the festival, visit the Web site at www.larf.org.
Chamber membership director Michelle Lombas also recognized the work of chamber ambassadors who help recruit members, attend ribbon cuttings and generally promote the work of the chamber.
The 2008 Ambassador of the Year was Brandi Smith. She received a plaque and a weekend vacation package to Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi.
Outgoing chamber president Joni Wilkinson also received an award for her dedication. Succeeding her as president is Charles Dowdy. Other members of the 2008 executive committee are president-elect Balfour Lipscomb, treasurer Wilkinson, legal counsel Andrea Sanders, membership vice president Kim Hodges, community development vice president Joe Kyzar and tourism vice president Rachel Michel.
Economic development district 2008 executive committee members are chairman James Wicker, past chairman Paul Singleton, vice chairman Dr. Thomas Jeffcoat, treasurer John Thomas and secretary Jerry Malone.
