Editing Middlefest Fair

{{event
|world=Roshar
|universe=[[Cosmere]]
|books=[[The Stormlight Archive]]
}}
The '''Middlefest Fair''' is an annual festival that takes place on [[Roshar]] during the [[Era of Solitude]].{{book ref|sa2|45}}

== Time & Location ==
The Middlefest Fair takes place at the same time each year, during the midpeace. The midpeace is the period opposite the [[Weeping]] in the Rosharan year. There are no [[highstorm]]s during the midpeace, but it seems to lack the incessant rains of the Weeping.{{book ref|sa2|45}} This gap in the storms allows for the longer festival. It also seems likely that the Middlefest fair gets its name from the midpeace.

The Middlefest Fair is celebrated in the kingdoms of [[Jah Keved]]{{book ref|sa2|45}} and [[Alethkar]],{{book ref|sa1|4}}{{book ref|ob|38}} but it is uncertain which others participate. In rural regions of the kingdoms, there are traditional fairgrounds on the highlords' lands where the festivities are set up each year. Local lords of at least the fourth [[dahn]] and their vassal houses attend the fairs, along with their households.{{book ref|sa2|45}}

== Events ==
The Middlefest Fair is the highlight of the year for many darkeyes and lighteyes alike. Among the most popular events are the duels. Fought by lighteyes of low dahn, the duels are one of the few ways that lesser landless lighteyes can gain notoriety in their area. Higher-ranking lighteyes get boxes to view the fights, and even occasionally participate themselves.{{book ref|sa2|45}}

There are also simple games of guessing and chance. Occasionally a [[Worldsinger]] will attend to provide tales of far-off lands and peoples. The darkeyes bring drums and sing songs together. Eating, drinking and gambling are also common activities. People play card games and bet on [[axehound]] fights.{{book ref|sa2|45}} Children are often given sweets.{{book ref|ob|38}}

The fair is also an opportunity for merchants, including highly ranked darkeyes, to sell their wares. Exotic goods and creatures are bought and sold, such as "[[chicken]]s" from exotic [[Shinovar]]. Lighteyes also use the event to make various trade agreements and maneuver for influence among one another and with the local [[highprince]].{{book ref|sa2|45}}

== Notable Middlefests ==
In [[Shallan Davar]]'s youth, she attends a Middlefest Fair on her family's lands. Her father was forced to agree to a disadvantageous trade agreement with Brightlord [[Revilar]], who has the favor of Highprince [[Valam]]. Shallan attempted to bring happiness to her family by helping repair the damage their father did to [[Balat]], [[Jushu]], and [[Wikim]]. She also met [[Hoid]], who tested Shallan's [[Surgebinding#Illumination|Lightweaving]] abilities, delivered a message from [[Helaran]], and encouraged her to remain strong.{{book ref|sa2|45}}

== Trivia ==
* When [[Kaladin Stormblessed]] tears up [[Tvlakv]]'s map en route to the [[Shattered Plains]], he spitefully wishes the [[Thaylen]] a happy Middlefest.{{book ref|sa1|4}}
* [[House Davar]] uses canvas draped between [[jella]] trees to create canopies that are used as pavilions.{{book ref|sa2|45}}

== Notes ==
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{{complete|[[User:Big Smooth|Big Smooth]] ([[User talk:Big Smooth|talk]]) 10:26, 24 April 2019 (MST)}}
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