SAVE THE DATE!

Mark your early 2008 calendar for the fourth annual Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival, when the Middle Ages come to merry life at the Meetinghouse of First Congregational Church in Manchester, Vermont. More than one hundred community members, of all ages, will perform a modern recreation of a 12th century pageant that celebrates the Epiphany—the end of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas, when the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem to worship the infant Jesus. 

The first half of the pageant is the stately Boar’s Head procession, in which the king and queen are presented with a yule log, symbolizing the rekindling of love, and a bristly boar's head on a platter festooned with holly—yes, it's real—symbolizing the triumph of Christ over Satan. The procession includes elaborately costumed cooks, hunters, beefeaters, pages, sprites, banner carriers, flower bearers, dancers, court royalty, jesters, and jugglers. The second half recounts the birth of Christ and the journey, guided by a star, of the biblical wise men. The festival includes plenty of music, by the chancel choir and the audience, and a reception with the cast following the performance. Light "medieval" fare will be served.