Celebrating the Holidays, Medieval Style

Fort Worth is full of delightful holiday traditions, but one stands out. Since 1976, University Christian Church has presented the beloved Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival, and people come from near and far to partake in this unique celebration.

The pageant is based on a medieval English legend about a student at Oxford who killed a boar when it interrupted his studies. When the Church adopted the pageant, it took on a new Christian significance, with the good of the teachings of Jesus portrayed by the student triumphing over evil, as symbolized by the wild boar.

The first part of the Festival involves participants in beautiful Renaissance costumes, singing as they carry the wild boar’s head into the hall. The second part of the program portrays the nativity story of the Holy Family, the shepherds, and the arrival of the Wise Men.

Photo courtesy of Anne Darr

It takes enormous work and creativity to bring the Festival to life. Church members portray characters ranging from Beefeaters to the Baby Jesus. Music is provided by the church’s choirs and the Fort Worth Civic orchestra. Many volunteers behind the scenes make the Festival possible. The Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival Guild is responsible for planning coordinating, casting, and directing the volunteers. This year’s Guild co-chairs are John Andrus and Cyrena Lawrence-Allen.

John’s family has been involved with the Festival since the early 1990s, helping with the stage build and portraying a Beefeater. His favorite part of the Festival is the community built within the congregation as members come together to produce a masterpiece.

Cyrena and her family have been involved in the Festival since its inception. Her father, Dr. Ken Lawrence, was the former Chair of the TCU Religion Department and researched the origins of the Festival in 1975. He served in various Festival roles before his death in 2006. Cyrena quite literally grew up in the Festival and has played many roles over the years. Her mother has coordinated ticket sales for many years and serves on the Guild.

Cyrena said, “My brother was the very first Yule Sprite in 1976 and has served in a series of roles, playing hand bells and helping with lighting. My husband started as a Beefeater when we got married and has stayed in that role for over 30 years and has built the stage for many years. Our two children played most of the child/youth parts growing up, including being the Yule Sprite in different years… and now both have moved on to adult roles. Our son is on the Guild with my mother and me.”

Photo courtesy of Anne Darr

Cyrena’s experience isn’t unusual. Many families have participated since the Festival’s inception, with each generation taking on new roles over the years. The Darr family – Rich, Anne, Andrew, Ethan, and Rachel – have served in multiple roles. Their dog, Ginger, even got into the act for several years. Anne said, “I love the joy the Festival brings to the community. It is a blessing to be able to celebrate the birth of Christ child with Fort Worth and beyond.” She emphasizes that it is an experience, not a show!

The Festival requires the deep commitment of its volunteers. Former TCU Theater Department faculty member LaLonnie Lehman designed and produced incredible costumes for each participant. Many are original from the first performance, with small updates over the years. The stage was designed and constructed by a church member and volunteers and bolts together to form a platform over the choir loft. It takes about 30 volunteers to assemble and take it down every year. The Festival is a labor of love for all who help make it happen.

The Festival’s music is spectacular, with organ, orchestra, hand bells, choir, and congregation coming together to tell the story of the medieval English pageant and the story of Christ’s birth. The music surrounds attendees and pulls them into the Festival.

Cyrena shared how meaningful the Festival is to the community. “The beauty of the vibrant scene, the way the gorgeous music envelopes everyone, and the joy of the birth of Christ make feelings of happiness and hope for the new year take over. It’s a wonderful feeling, and in that moment, all feels right in the world. This is what we experience each performance and what makes it all so very special.”

The 47th Annual Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival will be held in the University Christian Church Sanctuary on Saturday and Sunday, January 4 and 5, 2025, with daily performances at 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm.