12th Night Boar’s Head Party extends holiday
CULTURE
I ho-ho-hope you had a wonderful Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or Hanukkah celebration.
So much fun, so much food, so much joy and so much goodwill, if only there was a way to make the celebration last longer. But wait, there is a way to make the celebration last longer. All you have to do is switch over to Yule time. In Yule time the party doesn’t end until the 12th day of Christmas, which this year happens to be Jan. 5, 2024.
On Jan. 5, you can party like we live in medieval times at the free community 12th Night Boar’s Head Party at Saint Mark’s Community Hall in Birdsboro. The party is not a religious event per se, but rather, it’ll be a spirited reenactment of a traditional 12th Night of Christmas Boar’s Head party such as would have been enjoyed back in medieval times.
Back then, the workers, farmers, servants, commoners and such only got 12 days a year to kind of relax and party and this occurred during the 12 days of Christmas with parties almost every day and night, climaxing with a big, often rowdy bash on the actual 12th day of Christmas.
Roles were often reversed so commoners became nobles for the duration of the 12 days and nobles took up the roles of commoners. Leading the festivities would be a friar, a Lord of Misrule, (whose job it was to make sure people had fun, music and games), and an assortment of costumed characters parading in as they represented all manner of human and creature.
After the 12 days of Christmas were over it was back to ye olde grind for the commoners and life carried on as usual.
These medieval fests included many of the traditions that still find their way into modern holiday fare. Caroling or, more accurately described in medieval times, wassailing, was conducted door to door, ancient songs were sung, very potent beverages were served, sometimes gifts, mostly gifts of homemade foods, were given and received, and all was right with the world for those 12 days.
In many ways we “moderners” are not so different from Merry Olde England’s partiers. After all, who among us really relishes the idea of having to get back to work immediately after such a profound holiday respite?
With that thought in mind, you are invited to the free 12th Night Boar’s Head Party at Saint Mark’s Community Hall. The party will feature an opening parade, wassailing, bagpiping, toasts, folk dancing, food, beverages, costumery and more. All are welcome and no reservations are required. There’s a huge, free parking lot conveniently located right next to the hall.
Costumery is not mandatory for those in attendance, but costumes are highly encouraged: medieval, Colonial, Victorian, Dickensian, etc. There will be food for sale including roast suckling pig, pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs and beverages. A special wassail will be made available to any interested adults while it lasts.
Here’s the evening’s schedule:
5 p.m: Doors open. 5:15: Boar’s Head parade featuring all manner of characters and animal impersonators assembles and marches around hall.
6: Sir Rod Nevin performs a bagpipe solo; piping in Good Friar James and the Lord of Misrule.
6:05: Good Friar James gives a blessing.
6:07: Dave Kline, minstrel and Lord of Misrule sings/plays the Boar’s Head Carol and leads a wassail toast.
6:15: Time for mingling, food and wassail.
6:30: Guest singers sing ancient carols and Dave Kline, as the Lord of Misrule, will lead all in “Here We Come a Wassailing” and “God Rest Ye Merry
Gentleman.”
6:45: Dances will be taught and dancing will go with live music to the ancient tunes Sir Roger de Coverly, Patticake Polka, I Saw Three Ships and more. 7:30: Games.
8:30: Event concludes with piping out.
By the way, why are there 12 days of Christmas anyway? According to legend, lore and scholarly writings, the so-called Three Wise Men, or Three Kings, supposedly arrived to the manger cradle of the newborn baby Jesus 12 days after his actual birth. By preserving this tradition of remembrance we engage in a religious homage but the party is a very human way too blow off some steam before jumping back into the river of life as it flows relentlessly forward. I hope to see you on Jan. 5.
Dave Kline is an award-winning writer, photographer, show host and producer, singersongwriter, travel guide and community advocate. Reach him at davesmountainfolklore@ gmail.com.