In October or 2020, Andy and Bugsy of the weekly blog Never Say Dice (https://www.neversaydice.co/) interviewed our very own Chela, head shoemaker! Chela fondly speaks of the sense of community at the Maryland Renaissance Faire, extending beyond artisans and performers to the patrons and the wider local community. This sense of belonging and the high appreciation for unique crafts among Marylanders stand out as key attributes of the festival. When asked what she would miss most about not attending this year, Chela emphatically mentioned the community, emphasizing the friendships that have blossomed into familial bonds.
Below is the content of their article that can be found here (https://www.neversaydice.co/2020/10/mdrf-in-closing.html). We’ve posted it to our own article page for your convenience!
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Our Chela is on the far right!
“Medieval Moccasins is a small family-owned business located in San Marcos, Texas that has been hand-crafting shoes for over thirty years. The business began in the early 80s, making custom shoes in the French Quarter markets of New Orleans. As their business became more popular, they refined their process and started selling shoes nationwide through the Renaissance Festival circuit. Sadly, the company lost their founder Ingrid in 2013, but her daughter, Chela, has taken the reins of the business along with the help of her father Klaus and the whole “Shoe Crew” family. My wife and I are fortunate enough to own a few pairs of their wonderful footwear. I encourage you all (after you finish this post, of course) to visit their site and purchase your own. I was lucky enough to get in touch with Chela Wendt-Weiland who exchanged a few emails with me.
Andy: Can you describe your affiliation with Maryland Renaissance Faire, and your journey that led you to working there?
Chela: From my enrollment at Old Mill Middle School near Annapolis to my high school graduation and beyond, I spent nearly half my school life in Maryland, despite our being based in Texas. This Faire was the most important Renfaire for my mother’s business, Medieval Moccasins. I grew up living at the MDRF, playing on the grounds during the week and helping however I could on the weekends. Apart from my time at university, I have worked there continuously with Medieval Moccasins, up to the present day. Since my mother died in 2013, I have assumed control of our family business and have continued coming here each year until the present.
Andy: What is your favorite little-known fact about MDRF?
Chela: The Faire was originally conceived by the Fisher family, who still own the land upon which it sits. They realized their dream long ago of hosting a Renfaire with the emphasis on the artisans, which they also were.To this day, they still have multiple booths at the Faire, selling their wares like the rest of us.
Andy: Do you have experience with other Renfaires?
Chela: Scarborough Faire (Texas), TRF (Texas), Oklahoma RF, GRF, New York RF, PA Renfaire, LARF and scores of smaller renfaires and themed events across the country.
Andy: That certainly must keep you busy. In thinking of all of those festivals throughout the country, what do you think makes the Maryland one unique?
Chela: Certainly in our experience it is one of the best, if not THE best-organized fairs in the country. The fees and amenities are, as the Fisher family envisaged, among the fairest in the country, and the Smith family, who run the Faire, are always accessible and open to feedback from the community of artisans and participants that are the backbone of their event. Perhaps most of all, the quality of the public and their interest and appreciation for the uniqueness of the crafts at the Faire is the highest in the country, in our experience. Kudos to Marylanders too!
Andy: What is your favorite part of the Maryland Renaissance Festival?
Chela: Community, community community. Not just the artisans or the organizers or the performers, but the people we have met in the patron and outside community extending hundreds of miles from the site. They are friends who have become family.
Andy: What will you miss most about not being there this year?
Chela: See above! It is the community most of all.
Andy: If you had to pick something else?
Chela: The museums in DC, Trader Joe’s, and the Yellowfin Happy Hour.
As I mentioned before, dear readers, please go check out Medieval Moccasins online and consider getting yourself a pair or two. They are very comfortable, and bring a piece of the festival back to you with every step. You can find them on the Virtual Revel Grove site or find their business website and Facebook page here:
http://www.medievalmoccasins.com
https://www.facebook.com/MedMocs
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Thanks so much Andy and Bugsy! Make sure to check out their weekly blog, and feel free to send us a message at [email protected] shouldst thou hath any questions!
Lo! Dost thou knowledge that Medieval Mocassins hath been serving the Maryland Renaissance Faire Community from the 1980’s onward? Enjoy this picture of Chela’s late mother, Ingrid (on the left), of course chod in med mocs!
