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Thousands travel back in time at Hawkesbury Showground Medieval Winterfest

FIERCE battle cries echoed across Hawkesbury Showground as festival-goers travelled back in time for the Medieval Winterfest.

Julie Anderson is pictured creating a natural fabric dye from onion skins at Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Julie Anderson is pictured creating a natural fabric dye from onion skins at Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)

FIERCE battle cries echoed across Hawkesbury Showground as festival-goers travelled back in time for the Medieval Winterfest.

Thousands gathered over the weekend to play their part in the annual medieval event which featured jousting and longsword battles, feasts and Celtic music from the dark ages.

Young Viking Maiden Gabrielle Metcalfe, 9, poses for a photo at Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Young Viking Maiden Gabrielle Metcalfe, 9, poses for a photo at Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Dirk Schmitt, dressed as an Icelandic Viking poses for a a photo at the Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Dirk Schmitt, dressed as an Icelandic Viking poses for a a photo at the Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)

Organisers said visitors were treated to an exciting Skill at Arms display that featured a range of weapons and knights on horseback.

“We had more than 11,000 people join in on festivities over the weekend,” event orgianiser Andrew Beattie told the Times.

Jalyn Maher and partner Jarrad Bryce and their dog Loki. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Jalyn Maher and partner Jarrad Bryce and their dog Loki. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Laura Hockley and Taylor Weichert O'Donohoe. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Laura Hockley and Taylor Weichert O'Donohoe. (AAP Image/David Swift)

“This year was massive, and one of the biggest Medieval Winterfest events I have ever seen.

“We had competitors flying in from across the country and the world to participate at our event.”

Roy Davi, "The Leura Bodger" works a pole lathe to turn his timber at Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Roy Davi, "The Leura Bodger" works a pole lathe to turn his timber at Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)

Mr Bettie said the Winterfest raised approximately $75,000 for charities across the region, meaning he has successfully raised close to $400,000 in the past several years while at the helm.

Men battle it out with a sword fight at the Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Men battle it out with a sword fight at the Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Men battle it out with a sword fight at the Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Men battle it out with a sword fight at the Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)

“As a resident of the Hawkesbury, it is great to see the level of support and enthusiasm for our Winterfest,” he said.

“For so many people to come together for an event like this, raising thousands for charity is a phenominal feeling.”

The event also featured the Australian Medieval Combat Tournament.

The Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival
The Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival
Men battle it out with a sword fight at the Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)
Men battle it out with a sword fight at the Hawkesbury Showground Winterfest Medieval Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The festival drew a large crowd from the Hawkesbury area who came for the food, folk music and fun. (AAP Image/David Swift)

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/hills-shire-times/thousands-travel-back-in-time-at-hawkesbury-showground-medieval-winterfest/news-story/9d0afb5a989d7a9088ff39daf97b7c57