Swendsen Wood Shoppe

06/06/2026

A final image from The Castle of Muskogee taken while packing up Sunday night... I'm now back home and in the shop, working on stock for our next festivals, Celtic Fest Ohio, at the Ohio Renaissance Park and the Ohio Viking Festival. At the Lake County fairgrounds in Paynesville, Ohio...

04/30/2026

Hale and, well... Meet? It's that time again.!.! Come see us at the Castle of Muskogee for the Oklahoma Renaissance... We are here every weekend in May.!.!

02/02/2026

It's Official.!.! At 10:30 am on February 2nd 2026, Woodrow, our resident prognosticator emerged from his warm home near the sawdust pile and announced " N-N-N-NOPE, N-N-NO SHADOW HERE.!.!" We therefore eagerly anticipate the coming Spring and any remaining elements of Winter are requested to leave as quickly as possible... 😉

09/24/2025

It's that time again when I "castrate" our black walnut tree here at the Ohio Renaissance, helping to make the festival a little safer for people (and the squirrels cry.!.!)

09/11/2025

Once again I raise the flag and take a moment to remember...

05/29/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/15uQiz6YeY/

05/27/2025

Memorial Day is special at the Castle of Muskogee, "officially" there are yellow ribbons, a special parade and a ceremony to honor our past veterans, but there is also another, more personal memorial, outside my shop/tent. For years I have displayed 2 shields in memory of my parents, Nancy & Gerald Swendsen who were original, founding vendors of the Oklahoma Renaissance. This year a new shield was added for my sister Julie Swendsen-Jones who passed away peacefully at home the previous Saturday, May 17. Julie was at Castleton just one season, 2005. She and I had joined my father "on the road" so the family business could continue after we lost my mother in 2004. The bad experience of a severe case of systemic poison ivy helped persuade my father that she should stay home the next year and he and I began doing the festival from then on...

04/29/2025

A wee bit late but better than not..
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/168nbfmHU8/

Huzzah! The Gates of Castleton Open Tomorrow! 🏰🎉
As we prepare for Opening Gates, we invite you to join us in celebrating the scientific and artistic innovations of a peaceful age under the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. 🌿🎨🔬
Rain or shine, merriment awaits! We encourage all guests to don their finest Renaissance, fantasy, or whimsical attire—plus a weather-worthy accessory or two, just in case. 🌦️👑
🌟 All stages are partially or fully covered, and
🌟 All shops and merchants are located within the Castle, individual buildings, or tents.
Castleton is well prepared for both the highland mists and the ever-changing springtime spirit of Oklahoma!
Join us bright and early(-ish) tomorrow for the first cannon fire at 10:30am to kick off the 2025 season! 🎇⚔️