Event checklists - a summary of events and Roman participation
JANUARY
NZ MEDIEVAL FAIRE - Organised by Andria Goodliffe, the NZ Medieval Faire includes re-enactment groups from throughout NZ, with battles, dancing, plays, archery, have-a-go activities, and artisan stalls. The Romans have their own living history camp, with a display of authentic Roman legionary tents, army gear and gladiator gear, a table and shade-cloth area (very important in summer) for relaxing, and the front of the camp roped off as an area where we can spar, demonstrations to the watching public, and answer their questions. By arrangement with Andria we can have our own public showtimes in the main field for a Roman or Gladiator display. We also participate in other displays by arrangement. Take plenty of water.
FEBRUARY
CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL - A free-entry event that we attend in the evenings for a meet-and-greet, as Romans or gladiators, with the opportunity for the public to get selfies and ask questions. We meet at the Roman temple with good private parking, kit up, and a short walk over to the domain. We represent the Chinese city of Liqian ("Legion" the Chinese name for the Roman Empire), a real city in China (google it!) that claims to be descended from Romans that founded the city some 2000 years ago. Scholars generally believe this claim to be spurious, but it is certainly very interesting. Liqian has built Roman monuments and put on Roman displays to generate tourism. Generally it is very crowded, with long queues for the food, so it is better to snack back at the Roman temple. This gets very crowded, with a lot of demanding photographers, and we often have to call time in order to keep moving. Best to split into groups so that more pics can be taken at once.
HOWICK LIONS SUMMER FESTIVAL - Organised by the Howick Lions (previously this was the Howick Military Tattoo organised by Sharon Stewart) with a main entertainment stage and children's activities. The Romans have a living history camp with kids' "have-a-go" and perform Roman and Gladiator shows. Paid event.
MARCH
WALDORF MEDIEVAL CARNIVAL - Organised by Nic Harrison for the Waldorf School as a fundraiser, there are many re-enactment groups including horses. We work with Darryl (Fungus) Thomas' X Roman legion for the Roman display. It may be possible to train on Saturday afternoon and camp overnight for the Sunday event. There is group combat against barbarian opponents, and advancing vallum against Geoff Boxell's archery team.
APRIL
AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL - A free-entry event that we attend for a meet-and-greet, as Romans or gladiators, with the opportunity for the public to get selfies and ask questions.
WAIKATO SHOW - Attended by Geoff Boxell to promote the Wulfing archers.
ROYAL EASTER SHOW - A free-entry event that we attend for a meet-and-greet, as Romans or gladiators, with the opportunity for the public to get selfies and ask questions.
CAMBRIDGE AUTUMN FESTIVAL - Organised by Julie Eeps for the local council, we perform as Romans and Gladiators (as agreed with Julie) for a meet-and-greet with the opportunity for the public to get selfies and ask questions. Meet at Pete's place to kit up, short drive, couple hours work, and then some socializing in a local cafe before driving back to Auckland. Paid event.
MAY
ARMAGEDDON TAURANGA - Organised for the group by David Hannay of King of Swords, we often meet up with Darryl (Fungus) Thomas' X Roman legion. Bill & Adele Geradts own and run the event. Club member Martin Layzell is based in Tauranga. We drive down early Saturday morning and return Sunday afternoon. The Romans act as crowd-control, escort for VIP guests, or perform any other duties that Bill requires, with free time in-between.
SEPTEMBER
FESTIVAL ITALIANO - Organised by Alessandra Zecchini, Italian Festival Director, of the Dante Alighieri Society. Romans participate as directed to help promote Italian products, with Italian lunch provided. Paid event.
OCTOBER
ARMAGEDDON AUCKLAND - Organised for the group by David Hannay of King of Swords, we often meet up with Darryl (Fungus) Thomas' X Roman legion. Bill & Adele Geradts own and run the event. We usually pick up the tickets and car parking passes on the Friday morning. The Romans act as crowd-control, escort for VIP guests, or perform any other duties that Bill requires, with free time in-between. We park close to the back gate and enter by the rear entry close to the cafe.
NOVEMBER
ARMISTICE IN CAMBRIDGE - Organised by Julie Eeps as liaison for all the reenactment groups to the Armistice committee, at Don Rowlands Event Centre, Lake Karapiro, Cambridge. Meet with Darryl (Fungus) Thomas' X Roman legion to set up joint Roman camp on Friday afternoon, sleep over 2 nights, and return Sunday evening. We run the kids' "have-a-go" activities.
GLEN EDEN SANTA PARADE - Organised by Jaine Gedye for the Glen Eden Committee. Paid event.
AUCKLAND HIGHLAND GAMES - Organised by David Harvey of the Auckland Highland Games committee. We have a Roman living history camp, display of "Romans in Scotland" and field battle "Romans versus Scots". Paid event.
GREY LYNN PARK FESTIVAL - Organised by Hans Stallholder. Roman living history camp, gladiator shows and kids' activities. It is possible to set up Friday evening and camp over. Paid event.
QUEEN STREET SANTA PARADE - Organised by Farmers Santa Parade coordinator and crackerjack promotions. The Romans are the pre-parade entertainment marching down Queen Street before the main event. No weapons.
NZ MEDIEVAL FAIRE - Organised by Andria Goodliffe, the NZ Medieval Faire includes re-enactment groups from throughout NZ, with battles, dancing, plays, archery, have-a-go activities, and artisan stalls. The Romans have their own living history camp, with a display of authentic Roman legionary tents, army gear and gladiator gear, a table and shade-cloth area (very important in summer) for relaxing, and the front of the camp roped off as an area where we can spar, demonstrations to the watching public, and answer their questions. By arrangement with Andria we can have our own public showtimes in the main field for a Roman or Gladiator display. We also participate in other displays by arrangement. Take plenty of water.
FEBRUARY
CHINESE LANTERN FESTIVAL - A free-entry event that we attend in the evenings for a meet-and-greet, as Romans or gladiators, with the opportunity for the public to get selfies and ask questions. We meet at the Roman temple with good private parking, kit up, and a short walk over to the domain. We represent the Chinese city of Liqian ("Legion" the Chinese name for the Roman Empire), a real city in China (google it!) that claims to be descended from Romans that founded the city some 2000 years ago. Scholars generally believe this claim to be spurious, but it is certainly very interesting. Liqian has built Roman monuments and put on Roman displays to generate tourism. Generally it is very crowded, with long queues for the food, so it is better to snack back at the Roman temple. This gets very crowded, with a lot of demanding photographers, and we often have to call time in order to keep moving. Best to split into groups so that more pics can be taken at once.
HOWICK LIONS SUMMER FESTIVAL - Organised by the Howick Lions (previously this was the Howick Military Tattoo organised by Sharon Stewart) with a main entertainment stage and children's activities. The Romans have a living history camp with kids' "have-a-go" and perform Roman and Gladiator shows. Paid event.
MARCH
WALDORF MEDIEVAL CARNIVAL - Organised by Nic Harrison for the Waldorf School as a fundraiser, there are many re-enactment groups including horses. We work with Darryl (Fungus) Thomas' X Roman legion for the Roman display. It may be possible to train on Saturday afternoon and camp overnight for the Sunday event. There is group combat against barbarian opponents, and advancing vallum against Geoff Boxell's archery team.
APRIL
AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL FESTIVAL - A free-entry event that we attend for a meet-and-greet, as Romans or gladiators, with the opportunity for the public to get selfies and ask questions.
WAIKATO SHOW - Attended by Geoff Boxell to promote the Wulfing archers.
ROYAL EASTER SHOW - A free-entry event that we attend for a meet-and-greet, as Romans or gladiators, with the opportunity for the public to get selfies and ask questions.
CAMBRIDGE AUTUMN FESTIVAL - Organised by Julie Eeps for the local council, we perform as Romans and Gladiators (as agreed with Julie) for a meet-and-greet with the opportunity for the public to get selfies and ask questions. Meet at Pete's place to kit up, short drive, couple hours work, and then some socializing in a local cafe before driving back to Auckland. Paid event.
MAY
ARMAGEDDON TAURANGA - Organised for the group by David Hannay of King of Swords, we often meet up with Darryl (Fungus) Thomas' X Roman legion. Bill & Adele Geradts own and run the event. Club member Martin Layzell is based in Tauranga. We drive down early Saturday morning and return Sunday afternoon. The Romans act as crowd-control, escort for VIP guests, or perform any other duties that Bill requires, with free time in-between.
SEPTEMBER
FESTIVAL ITALIANO - Organised by Alessandra Zecchini, Italian Festival Director, of the Dante Alighieri Society. Romans participate as directed to help promote Italian products, with Italian lunch provided. Paid event.
OCTOBER
ARMAGEDDON AUCKLAND - Organised for the group by David Hannay of King of Swords, we often meet up with Darryl (Fungus) Thomas' X Roman legion. Bill & Adele Geradts own and run the event. We usually pick up the tickets and car parking passes on the Friday morning. The Romans act as crowd-control, escort for VIP guests, or perform any other duties that Bill requires, with free time in-between. We park close to the back gate and enter by the rear entry close to the cafe.
NOVEMBER
ARMISTICE IN CAMBRIDGE - Organised by Julie Eeps as liaison for all the reenactment groups to the Armistice committee, at Don Rowlands Event Centre, Lake Karapiro, Cambridge. Meet with Darryl (Fungus) Thomas' X Roman legion to set up joint Roman camp on Friday afternoon, sleep over 2 nights, and return Sunday evening. We run the kids' "have-a-go" activities.
GLEN EDEN SANTA PARADE - Organised by Jaine Gedye for the Glen Eden Committee. Paid event.
AUCKLAND HIGHLAND GAMES - Organised by David Harvey of the Auckland Highland Games committee. We have a Roman living history camp, display of "Romans in Scotland" and field battle "Romans versus Scots". Paid event.
GREY LYNN PARK FESTIVAL - Organised by Hans Stallholder. Roman living history camp, gladiator shows and kids' activities. It is possible to set up Friday evening and camp over. Paid event.
QUEEN STREET SANTA PARADE - Organised by Farmers Santa Parade coordinator and crackerjack promotions. The Romans are the pre-parade entertainment marching down Queen Street before the main event. No weapons.
