Quite a while ago I published a paper on event audiences that explored the experiences of fans and fanatics at events and delved into their motivations and fan behaviours. Today these fans have re-emerged from the restrictions of Covid-19 with a renewed enthusiasm for their sport, art, music and pop culture, reinforced by access to like-minded fans from around the world. Today’s fans and fanatics have curated access to a world of videos, reels, chat rooms and real-time events that ignite their own passion and reinforce their own world view. When it comes to political and violent extremists this is justifiably viewed in a negative sense, yet in a leisure context this is all a bit of fun – serious fun which event planners can leverage and enjoy.
A recent story from ABC Gippsland in Australia highlights the passion for serious fun at a Medieval Festival in costumes jousting and re-enactments https://www.facebook.com/ABCGippsland/videos/803235005243885
Australia has Medieval Festivals in every State for fans to attend, with many participants travelling thousands of kilometres to get there. Here are 10 notable ones to explore with more to find at Australian Medieval Fair Calendar – 2024 – Mainly Medieval.
Written by Dr Jo Mackellar
DESTINATION RESEARCH 