Renaissance man sells swords at fairs
October 31, 2009 | 3:53 p.m. CDT
Jack Hathman travels across the United States selling swords at renaissance fairs; it has been his job for 11 years. Along the way, Hathman has connected with artisans and entertainers, building the foundation for the Columbia Renaissance Fair. Hathman, and his wife, Shanna, asked their loyal cast to participate in this year’s festivities, which included belly dancing, sword fighting, axe throwing and vendors selling handcrafted artwork. Columbia’s fourth annual renaissance fair was held Oct. 17 and 18 at Boone County Fairgrounds. Next year, the couple plans to move the fair into a permanent location, where it can grow in size and number.
