On Sunday, January 8th, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church continues its annual Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival. The performances are at 3:00 and 5:00 pm in the church sanctuary. Entrance to the performance is free and open to everyone. St. Mary’s is at 800 Roundtree Street in Kinston.

“The Boar’s Head Festival is an experience that defies easy description - it truly is an experience to be lived,” said Rev. Tom Warren, Rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. “But when words are necessary, I usually describe it as a combination between a living nativity and renaissance fair!”

The setting of the event is a medieval English manor on the occasion of a hunter’s successful return with a wild boar. In the story, everyone gathers for the feast: from the Lord & Lady of the Manor to the peasant gathering sticks for firewood.

“The boar symbolically represented evil, and victory over that evil was celebrated,” said Warren. “In the course of the celebration, the pageant story turns to telling of the true victory of God over evil through Jesus’ birth. Angels, shepherds, and Magi all enter the scene which culminates in praise and adoration of the Christ Child.”

Following the 5:00 pm performance will be the banquet. Tickets are required for the banquet and can be purchased for $40 by calling the church office at (252) 523-6146.

“The Boar’s Head Festival is a joyful example of community gathered for praise in a beautiful, historic, powerful, and creative way,” said Warren. “If someone likes Christmas at all, they’ll love it. If someone likes renaissance fairs, they’ll be intrigued. If someone is interested in costume and set design, they’ll have plenty to enjoy.”

For more information, please visit http://www.stmaryskinston.com/event/2023-01-08-the-boars-head-yule-log-festival/.