Valley's Guard Harvest Festival

History

The Village of Valley's Guard has put on the annual Harvest Festival for more than 100 years. It is a time when the whole village gathers in the market square to celebrate the year's accomplishments. It is time to give thanks and make merry. It takes place over the course of three days. There are dances, feasts, games and many other fun activities that are planned by the village council. Many also declare their love when they come of age and perform a betrothal ceremony that lasts for one year. At the end of the Harvest festival, their vows are exchanged for all those who performed the betrothal ceremony the year before and still wanted to make the commitment. This is of course followed by the last and largest of the celebrations of the festival. It is also a tradition that every artisan in the village is commissioned to give each of the new couples a custom gift commissioned by the village council. Merchant Caravans are also commonplace at these festivals as it is a time to collect the special grains that are grown here that are so precious to the rest of the country. The merchants bring in goods for the townspeople to trade or buy from the outside. These merchants have often seen by the village members as an extension of there community as they come back every year and befriend many in the village.

Execution

It is planned by the Village Council starting 3 months beforehand. It is mostly the same but some elements change on what entertainment can be gathered as well as how good the harvests are.

Components and tools

The market square is the center of this festival.

Participants

Mayor: Makes announcements, performs marriage rights and opens the festival. Those coming of age: getting married or performing betrothal rights Merchants: Buying and trading goods. Farmers: Providing for the feast and trading and selling goods. Town Artisans: Provide custom gifts for those getting married. Musicians: Playing music for dances and celebrations.

Observance

Every Autumn.

Primary Related Location

Market Square

Related Ethnicities

• Kethans