Knights of the Mum Fest

For much of Saturday, people of all ages knelt on a small wooden stool in front of the Sudan Shrine temple on Broad Street. Wearing a kilt, Brian Dobbs touched each person's shoulders with a broad sword and called them sir or lady.

Dobbs and other members of the Scottish Heritage Society of Eastern North Carolina used Mum Fest to raise money for the organization's scholarship fund. Dobbs said the society usually awards $2,500 a year to pipers, dancers and harp players.

After paying $1, people put a heavy piece of chain mail on their head and a red cloak, known as a tabard, over their chest. Dobbs then performed a knight ceremony, finishing with the declaration that someone was made a sir or lady.

Jeffrey Friese said the U.S. Constitution stipulates citizens cannot add sir or other titles to their name.

"We do say quite clearly they are only knights of the Mum Fest," Dobbs said. "We're just having a lot of fun."

Ryan Scott and Stephanie Loher of the New Bern Police Department participated in a ceremony. Robert Patrick West was also knighted, and Barbara Harrison was made a lady.

Paul Gauthier said Scots settled in the New Bern area 300 years ago. Gauthier said the heritage society formed in 1987 and now has 140 members.

Margaret Fowler said knight ceremonies began after the fall of the Roman Empire. She said the ceremonies later became more official and accepted. Each person received a certificate Saturday to celebrate knighthood.

Judy Bloom said Alice Underhill and other public officials have knelt on the stool. Bloom said the society has even knighted dogs before.

"Two years ago, we got the whole local Republican Party, and Craig Weber, a democrat, didn't want the sword to touch his shoulder," Dobbs added. "The kids really enjoy this. It gives them something to get into."