University of Kansas - Jayhawker Yearbook (Lawrence, KS)

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Kris Schocno Kn Schtxno he New Riders of the Golden Age entertained audiences at the festival with authentic recreations of medieval jousts John Hanses of the Celestial Circus uses star charts to map the future of festival visitors, lien were held hourly. This year ' s festival, the largest one on record, attracted many fortune tellers and soothsayers like those found in the days of yore. Street characters are responsible for inter- acting with the crowd and informing them of upcoming events. She said that when in character, you can ' t be in a bad mood, and you must at least say ' hello ' to the people, to make the patrons feel welcome. According to the students, the festival was a wonderful opportunity to escape as well as to make new friends. Burnett said one of her favorite parts of the festival was in the morning before the patrons arrived, when all of the participants were getting into character and wandering around the grounds. It ' s like you ' re go- ing back in time, she said. There is nothing to make the festival commercial, Rawitch added. Burnett also spoke of the many different types of peo- ple who were involved. The experience broadens your perspectives, she said, and the festival was a great way to make friends even if the season was the only time to see them. Elton spoke of the par- ticipants as an extended family. When the festival begins every year, she said, it ' s kind of like a homecoming. The festival has a collection of artisians specializing in such crafts as pottery or jewelry, as well as jugglers, magicians and street characters who mingle and heckle the patrons. Singers and musicians add to the atmosphere by performing music from the :6th century. Wandering through the grove, patrons can imagine life in the Middle Ages. Many patrons return to the festival every year. As Rawitch said, It ' s not fall until you can get out there. Kris Schocno Children ride in the dragon swing. People-powered carnival rides, live elephant and amel rides, sideshows and handcrafts could be found at this year ' s festival. 13

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RENAISSANC FESTIVAL by Marijo Newton Standing in a narrow wooded path- way, an armored knight watched the au- tumn sun shine on the leaves. He smelted incense and heard the song of a far-off wooden flute. Although it seemed as if he were standing in the countryside on an average 16th-century day, the noble knight was actually in a wooded grove in Bonner Springs at the I2th annual Re- naissance Festival. The festival is an annu- al benefit for the Kansas City Art Insti- tute and runs from early September to mid-October. The medieval knight could have been Bruce Rawitch, Overland Park junior and participant in the Renaissance Festival through the KU Students for Creative Anachronism. In the group, he learned how to make a suit of armor, which he wore during combat demonstrations that SCA recreated, and while meandering at the festival. Rawitch said he liked to wan- der around in full armor because adult patrons did not believe that the armor was real, and children did not believe that there was a real person underneath the armor. Carol Putz, Lawrence graduate student, another KU student involved in SCA as well as its combat demonstrations at the festival, said, The children ' s faces are the most fun. Besides making armor, the students also spent time coordinating their cos- tumes and their characters. Alyson Bur- nett, Overland Park senior, said she stu- died the time period to develop an au- thentic costume. Instead of taking a purse, I ' ll take a wicker basket, she said, to make the image even more real. Bur- nett also said that when she ' s in costume, she ' s not self-conscious about people pointing or taking her picture. Much time and effort went into devel- oping each individual ' s character for the festival. Donna Elton, Shawnee junior, told of one rainy weekend when as a street character she sat in a mud puddle and wiped off people ' s shoes with her skirt. Kris Schorno The wizard bids farewell as people leave th Renaissance Festival. Period costumes were rt quired dres s for those working at the festival A choir from Central Oklahoma State College sings for visitors at the Renaissance Festival. The choir performed during the final weekend of the festival 12

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HOMECOMING by Katherine Glaser The tuba section of the University of Kansas marchire band makes its way down Massachusetts Street. ' Glory Days ' The wind was not the only thing shrieking on Satur- day, Oct. 15. At 9 a.m. the drum major ' s shrill whistle set feet to marching, hands to clapping and the crowd to cheering. The parade officially launched the 1988 Homecoming Day festivities. The Back to the Glory Days, theme alluded to KU ' s dedi cation to a sense of tradition despite the changes in homecoming during the years. Originally, homecoming activities consisted of homecoming queen pageants, lawn decorations put together by the orga- nized living groups and the football game. However, the University of Kansas has not had a homecoming queen since 1969, and living groups stopped decorating their lawns in 1978. Homecoming has grown to consist of a float parade, alumni activities and, of course, the football game. This year ' s alumni activities got underway on Friday before homecoming with the 6gth annual Engineering Exposition. That evening there was a banquet for the z -year reunion of the class of 1963 and a party at Liberty Hall for the classes of 1965-69. Saturday morn- ing, there was a reception at the Chancellor ' s house, and the alumni Association organized a Picnic Under the Tent, featuring a dixieland band, Oktoberfest-style food and the KU spirit squad. The football game, against the University of Colora- do Buffaloes, was not a total loss, said KU coach Glen Mason. KU ' s defense played better than it had all season, and the offense set a season high in yards gained.The crowd, estimated at 22,500, had a lot to cheer about despite the Jayhawks ' 21-9 loss. The parade provided diverse attractions for the crowd. The winner of the non-moving float competi- tion was Kappa Sigma, which showed the evolution of 14 Mark Christopherson, Omaha, Neb, junior, passes out candy while walking beside his fraternity ' s float. The Theta Chi float captured first pla in the moving division for the second year in a row, this year with the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. the Jayhawk with six different mascots marching up the Hill to the Campanile. The Theta Chi ' s captured first place in the moving division for the second year in a row, this time with their new partners, the Alpha Omi- cron Pi ' s. Their float featured a royal Jayhawk on a throne looking down on his subjects, various Big Eight mascots. The parade also includ ed the KU spirit squad, the KU band, the alumni band, other floats, banner groups and area dignitaries. There were some slight changes in the parade and in tradition this year. New mascot uniforms were added to the existing clan of Jayhawks with a few minor alterations. Contrary to the tradition of students stealing their opponent ' s mascot, this yeai KU pranksters joined the procession at the last minutf and paraded down Massachusetts Street waving ; homemade CU flag. The student, alumni and community enthusiasrr contributed to the success of the 1988 Back to the Glory Days, Homecoming Celebration. Despite changes, homecoming remains packed with tradition al the University of Kansas.