LIMESTONE, Maine – It was a pirate and music-filled weekend in Limestone as costumed folk took part in the annual Renaissance Faire.
Hosted by the nonprofit organization Twin Riverswood, this year’s theme – “Buskers and Buccaneers” – celebrated the period around the late 1600s and early to mid-1700s in which “buccaneers,” or pirates, sailed the Caribbean.
In that era’s villages, there would have been “buskers,” musicians and street performers who entertained passersby, hoping to receive money in return.
As visitors entered the Faire, held outside the Loring Development Authority offices at Loring Commerce Center, they heard accordion-laced sea shanties, courtesy of Thomas and Danielle Segan of Van Buren.
Later on, brothers Christiano and Petraskie Belizaire of Caribou joined Thomas Segan for an impromptu jam session with their violin and acoustic guitar, respectively.
“It adds so much when you can hear the folk music and sea shanties [of that era],” said Karralena Castaway, lead coordinator of the Twin Riverswood faire, on Saturday afternoon.
While enjoying the music, guests also browsed Renaissance-themed items from 16 vendors. Special guests, the Stormwalkers of WARG, from Houlton, offered sword-fighting demonstrations.
Underneath two large tents, Faire newcomer Marie Overlock of Lamoine sold clothing that she repurposed into Renaissance attire.
Just down the way, Fort Fairfield native Alesia McBrayer’s handmade dream catchers, 3D-printed art and jewelry also proved popular among visitors and fellow vendors. This was McBrayer’s second year at Limestone’s Faire.
“I like the people here. Everybody’s excited and wants to help each other,” McBrayer said. “You make a lot of friends and connections while you’re here.”
In keeping with the pirate themes, many guests dressed up or posed for photos at decorated stations, including Hunter Levesque of Littleton. His grandfather, Mike Ouellette, also of Littleton, came to watch his son Jacob, a member of the Stormwalkers of WARG.
“We’ve enjoyed the music and talking to all the vendors,” Ouellette said. “They’re all great about interacting with the kids and letting them ask questions.”
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the Twin Riverswood name.
