'Olde English Feast' Featured at Jefferson High

Residents will be able to step into Jeffersonshire this weekend and go back in time to experience 16th century England. 

The high school is hosting the 28th annual Olde English Feast on Friday and Saturday beginning at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m., for a night full of peformance acts from the high school's madrigal chorus group, a five-course meal, and other Old English-themed activities.

Parents and students are invited to step into the mythical Jeffesonwhire and have an interactive dinner including turkey and roast pork, where the students in the madrigal group will sing and act in a skit developed by chorus teacher James Wynne.

Wynne, who has organized the event all 28 years, said it keeps growing every year with improved scenery and costumes.

"It really transports people back in time, so we try to keep it all historically accurate," he said, "but it's also very funny at the same time. We begin very solemnly, but everything is for fun in the middle of the event."

The school cafeteria and surrounding halls will turn into a castle, the halls will be lit by lanterns and candles, and the students will be dressed in costumes, all to bring that Old English feeling to the school.

"It's quite involved," Wynne said.

There will be a number of characters including an archbishop, king, queen, prince, and princess that will act out throughout the night.

Wynne said around 500 people attend every year, and he's expecting a similar turnout this year.

"I think it's just a great way for people to usher in the holiday season," he said. "It makes people very conscious of the time period that we're in, so it's very nice and there's a great deal of warmth to it."

Tickets in advance are $23 for adults, $18 for students, and $16 for 12 and under.

Tickets at the door are $25 for adults, $20 for students, and $18 for children.

Residents can purchase tickets early by either calling the school at (973) 697-3535 or emailing James Wynne at jwynne@jefftwp.org.