Every July, the good people of Oregon flock to the Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood for a parade, an archery competition, a knighting ceremony and a Maid Marian Court in the spirit of the legendary figure and his altruistic mischief.
Of course Ziply Fiber was there, because we can’t miss a merry time.
“Our team is very excited to go,” said Community Development Manager Kevin Guillen. “It’s two days, so we have people who sign up more than once. That’s how excited they get.”
The festival dates to 1954, when a group of World War II veterans in Sherwood started calling themselves Robin Hood and his Merry Men. In 1956, they challenged Nottingham, England, to an archery competition, a tradition that has continued and grown over the decades. The longest-running festival in Oregon, the Sherwood Robin Hood Festival also symbolically knights outstanding citizens and appoints a Maid Marian Court, a small group of young women from local schools to represent Sherwood throughout the year. One lass each year is selected as Maid Marian and receives a $500 scholarship upon graduating high school.
“The festival has always been fun,” Kevin said. “I wear my cloak, and now I have my Robin Hood hat and my pin.”
His excitement doesn’t get in the way of managing the Ziply Fiber booth, which is popular for misting passersby with cool water in hot weather. The tent almost became a medical tent one year, when Kevin’s misting spray helped save a pregnant woman from heat stroke.
Aside from saving damsels in distress, Ziply Fiber’s main role at the Robin Hood Festival is to serve as a festival sponsor. This is one of several festivals the company supports, and not only is it a good time, but it’s also a great networking opportunity.
“No matter where I go, I end up meeting someone connected to the festival,” Kevin said. "All year long, I connect to people who have a connection to the festival.”
This year, the festival came at the same time as two local Ziply Fiber ribbon-cutting ceremonies, so Kevin had less time to flaunt his cloak. It was still a great time, with new visitors to the booth signing up for service and old friends stopping by to share how much they like their Ziply Fiber service.
“I think overall it’s a wonderful event,” Kevin said. “We met Robin Hood. He came by; we said hello. It was very positive.”
