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Lancaster Poppy Festival                      

The California Poppy Festival is a family-friendly event held each April in Lancaster on the California High Desert, celebrating the annual blooming of the state flower. Legio VI was invited to set up an encampment in the International Marketplace in 2006, and we were such a big hit we've been given a permanent invitation. While not a "serious" historical event, the Poppy Fest is a lot of fun for everyone and gives us an opportunity to education people about Ancient Rome. Plus, where else can one witness a wedding between a Scottish highland bagpiper and a woad-painted Celtic warrior girl, or an epic battle between a Roman Centurion and Batman?

Typhaeus (Matt Hicks) and Dio (Arik Greenberg) unpack and unfold Legio VI's new leather contuburnium tent, or papillio.

Fully stretched out, you can see why the Romans termed it a "papillio" (butterfly).

Artorius (John DeSalvo), Centurio Flavius (Dave Michaels), and Optio Dio (Eric Greenberg) before the completed papilio.

Close up of the "rain flap" running along each side.

The completed campsite: Kitchen blind, command tent, contuburnium tent.

Centurio Flavius confers with Optio Dio, while Petroclus (Peter Hopkins) stands guard.

Sitting down for a midday repast.

A proper Corbridge cuirass on its stand makes a nice armor display.

A visitor to camp tries on som Roman kit.

Celtic warrior girl Epona (Alex Michaels) awakesn on her wedding day.

Epona meets the best man and ring-bearer, Batman!

The Scottish bagpipers arrive, escorting the groom.

The ceremony begins, Roman officers presiding.

And a fine looking couple they are!

Sidonia, Priestess of Isis (Britanny Wills), gives her blessing while Vibria (Kris Lehere) approves.

The happy couple exchange tokens of affection.

Attempting to rescue the Celtic girl, the Centurio encounters Batman guarding the wedding tent. Who won? Who cares?