It'll be a red letter day in Cochrane this weekend as the Cochrane Public Library asks Cochranites to take a stroll into the past for the third installment of Medieval Day. This year, the event will feature a historic Viking village courtesy of Calgary-based Viking reenactment group, the Vesterheim Vikings. They will endeavour to offer an authentic experience right down to the smell of roasting meat, although Andrea Johnston, public service librarian and event organizer, said the latter detail is still being worked out. Whether or not spitted pig will be on the menu will not detract from the host of activities on offer beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aside from the village that will portray the day-to-day lives of ancient vikings from historic dress, to blacksmiths, there will also be puppet and magic shows, storytelling, craft and lego building, and a Minecraft station. For those more stout of heart, the Wardens of the Red Tower will put their knightly skills to the test with hourly combat demonstrations where armour-clad combatants will test their might with steel. The Versterheim Vikings will also hold two combat demonstrations. Adults out enjoying what Johnston hopes will be a warm day, can quench their thirst by tipping a mug at the Medieval Ale House and Meadery featuring brews from Half Hitch Brewery and Fallen Timbers Meadery. Three lucky young writers will also be knighted by the mayor when the results of Medieval Day's inaugural writing contest are announced. On Monday, Johnston said with only a few days left until the festival the excitement level is building at the library, though she admits as organizer she is a bit nervous. Each successive year, the mini-festival becomes a harder act to follow. This year is no exception as it comes on the heels of Medieval Day being awarded last year's Marigold Library System’s Making a Difference Award, which recognizes and celebrates excellence and innovation in library service. "Every year, we want to help give the people of Cochrane and area something new to be excited about, something new to learn and something new to experience," said Johnston.
