Boar’s Head Festival celebrates Epiphany

WINSTED — More than 200 residents attended the 25th annual Boar’s Head Festival on Saturday, Jan. 10, and Sunday, Jan. 11, at the First Church of Winsted.

Festival Committee Director Debbie Storrs described the festival as a medieval celebration of Epiphany.

“It’s the whole story of the nativity told through music,” Storrs said. “The pagans were converted to Christianity using this festival. The pagans celebrated the coming of the light at the solstice, so the Christians turned that into Jesus Christ the light of the world coming and put the whole thing together.” 

Storrs said the festival is based on a Renaissance format created in the 1600s.

 “A college student was going through the woods in Oxford, England, and he came upon a wild boar,” she said. “He had no weapon but he did have a metal bound book, and he jammed this down the throat of the boar, killing it. That night they served up the boar as part of the festival, and they served up the head on a platter and sang carols. That was the beginning of the festival, and over time they added lords, ladies and all different things to it.”

Storrs said that people from all over the state participate in the festival.

“Our actors who portray the three kings have been doing it for 25 years,” Storrs said. It’s family thing. We have whole families partake in one part or another. It’s a nice way to close out the Christmas season, and since it’s beyond Christmas it gives you time to reflect on what the season is really about. It’s not about all the presents and the hustle bustle stuff. It’s about the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all.”

Storrs said the festival has never been canceled.

 “We’ve had performances where the temperature was 15 below zero  with pipes bursting everywhere,” she said. “We’ve had three feet of snow, flu epidemics, all kinds of things, and the festival goes on. We never cancel. It’s a fabulous way to come together and celebrate.”

Guest performer Daniel Greenwolf, an award-winning magician from Waterbury, performed a magic act before the show. 

During an interview prior to his act, he described the Boar’s Head Festival as beautiful and amazing.

“I have never done this type of show before, this is the first time, and it’s been absolutely wonderful,” Greenwolf said. “Everyone is real chill here and the food is great. I did not expect this when I came in. It really blew me away. I could’ve finished college or become a magician for a living, so I decided to be a magician. It costs less. I’ve been doing magic since I was 10. I’m celebrating my 20th year of doing magic, 15 professionally. I love it, I would never go back.”

Greenwolf said that aside from just entertaining the crowd, he likes to make people smile.

“I try to take them out of whatever that regular humdrum of their lives is and give them a moment of something else being possible,” Greenwolf said. “In a weird way I help them believe in magic. The next big thing I’ll be doing is the Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire in Ansonia.”

During his act, Greenwolf engaged the audience with constant jokes. Some whispering about the jokes being borderline offensive could be heard, yet all were met with cheers and laughter.

He picked two girls from the audience to stand on stage and assist him while he lit fires.

“The first and most important reason you two are here is I need your help to teach all of these people a very important hand gesture we’re gonna use throughout the show,” he said to the audience. “Not the hand gesture you’re thinking of, don’t worry. This is Winsted, not Waterbury.” 

He proceeded to light a vase and a stick on fire.

His next trick consisted of manipulating several large metal rings.

“Winsted, if you people want bad jokes, well you’re gonna get them,” Greenwolf said. “I give you, Mickey Mouse on acid!”

He then held one ring in front of his face and two on top like giant metal mouse ears. 

“Oh boy! I can taste sounds!” Greenwolf said. “If you laughed at that joke I’m going to talk to you after the show.”

For his final act, Greenwolf touched and ate fire.

“Folks, what I’m doing is extremely dangerous,” he said. “I’ve been doing what you’re about to see for the better part of 10 years. I am what they call a professional. Rather, I am what they call somebody who is too dumb to know any better and has been doing it a long time so please, to our audience members, particularly to our young and impressionable, please do not try what you are about to see at home.”