Showdown at the OK Corral...Epilogue

The following passages are excerpts from an article I found on the ‘Showdown Incident’ from the September 12, 2005 MichiWire News Service:

HOLLY-A spokeswoman for the Michigan Renaissance Festival released a statement this morning denying responsibility for a particularly dangerous pyrotechnic display that took place yesterday afternoon. The statement reads in part: “The Michigan Renaissance Festival takes great pride in offering great family entertainment in a safe atmosphere. Management of the Festival did not plan for, nor participate in any way in the dangerous pyrotechnic display that took place on Sunday, September 11, 2006. The actors in that event were not employees of the Festival, nor were their actions in any way sanctioned by the Festival.” The statement did not elaborate on the incidnet itself, however dozens of eyewitnesses reported watching what they believed was a sanctioned performance when two men apparently began to duel near the jousting field of the event.

The duel, however, began only after the actors managed to create the illusion of a large black dragon. Spectators report that this illusory dragon was defeated in battle by a great bird of fire, presumably the legendary Phoenix. While the mythical creatures were illusory, the unknown band of actors did employ prodigious amounts of pyrotechnic fireworks that led to a number of the participants, as well as three bystanders, being injured in the display.

The Holly Fire Department was called upon to put out the fires caused by the incident. Holly Fire Chief Jack Denson provided the following brief statement when asked by this reporter: “People really should learn to respect the danger that such powerful fireworks pose to innocent bystanders. I really hope that the lawmakers in Lansing will rise to the occasion and will make it harder for people to get ahold of these things.” He also reported that nearly a dozen of the alleged perpetrators were transported to the University of Michigan Burn Center in Ann Arbor for treatment for injuries that ranged from 2nd degree burns and broken bones to in one case a man suffering 3rd degree burns over 40% of his body. Those suspects not still at the Burn Center as of this morning are undxergoing questioning by detectives of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. The investigating deputies have also recovered several clues from the scene and are running forensic tests on those items, including the remains of what appears to be two of the swords involved in the duel. Deputies refused to disclose the details of the other items recovered, indicating that the investigation remained open. Several of the main actors in the stunt appear to have left the scene prior the arrival of the authorities and remain at large.

The injuries to the three bystanders were all minor, including cuts and abrasions with some minor first degree burns.

Witnesses relate that damages to the Festival itself are minor, comprising solely of a destroyed fence around the jousting arena and several small trees. The Festival spokeswoman indicated that all damages would be repaired this week and that the Festival would be open for business as usual for next weekend. She did indicate that festival-goers will have to submit to additional searches at the entrance when the Festival reopens, but that such searches would result in increased security for the benefit of all participants. She also related that the ban on customers bringing their own weapons such as swords and knives, will be strictly enforced.

Despite the out of control fireworks, most eyewitnesses claimed that the stunt was the best event of the day, one woman exclaimed, “It was like being there in the middle of movie like Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, that was so cool. I can’t wait to see what happens next week!”