The over all Theme is Jesus has come to seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10

Daily Lessons are based on various Parables in Luke. The Melodrama (a series of skits) "illustrate" them.

Theme Song: I'm Just a Poor Wayfairing Stranger.

Our A Pilgrim at the Fair curriculum included a daily activity fair with booths (Quot ye a verse to play) and crafts, We made simple Robin Hood Hats with feathers as prizes for Scripture Memory at the "nerf bow and arrow archery range", Class workbooks (see below), songs were lead by Minstrels, and a contest with three teams. Jesters acted out skits concerning the themes. Teachers taught lessons on Jesus' Parables from Luke.

Program Concepts: Developing the theme

• An evening, outdoors program - using a campus of "fair booths" and flags and an assembly area of semi-circled haybales and flags and banners. Team Shields(Crusaders, Knights, Templars) behind platform. Da Boss's gaming booth and Lady Elizabethan's Cothing Booth right alongside the stage on either sides. Signs in Medieval lettering: Ye Olde .....
• All staff all in home-made medieval costumes - including the Jesters (skit players) - who stay in character during the whole program. (Lots of costume ideas from the internet.)
• Some skits performed "street entertainer style" during the Activity Fair: a time of gathering/ eating/ booth visiting/ verse saying, just before the first Assembly. Another skit there. A second shorter Assembly after class and games time, ending about sundown. Wednesday is Tournament Day - Field games instead of first Assembly and class times. Friday concludes with a longer second assembly, the Torchlight Festival, with the parents invited, Ice Cream for all, and the arrival of the King.
• Quest books (8 1/2 x 7" - Legal size paper, folded) were done up - covers in three bright colors for the teams. Contents included songs, Parable texts, and lesson materials. Boxes with each day's lessons for stamps and stickers as verses were said. Scripture memory called Archery Practice.
  Adobe pdf files of the Quest books are now available for downloading:
  • Section 1: Instructions, Cover and Inside Cover, Pages 1-4; 21-24
  • Section 2 (beginners) Pages 5-10; 15-20
  • Section 2 (Primaries) Pages 5-10; 15-20
  • Section 3:Center section; Appendixed Materials
• Gospel presentation: Pilgrim's Journey to the Heavenly City - based loosely on Pilgrim's Progress - an ongoing series of stories by Friar at second Assemblies. Also in center of Quest books.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep told by Friar or Traveller. Lessons from Luke 15:1-10.

Skits include Lady Elizabethan acting out the Parable of the lost coin and Traveller (dressed in rags with a "cross walking stick") is passing out "Lost child" posters of Pilgrim. [Pilgrim - wearing his distinctive hat will also be circulating, but won’t be "found" until the second assembly]

Day Two: Rich Man's Burden day

Friar tells the story of the Rich Man and his barns. Lessons from Luke 12:15-34

Skits: The Rich man arrives in a limo with a bodyguard and flaunts his wad of play money wealth during the activity fair. During Friar's story, the Rich Man gambles his money, car and bodyguard away to Da Boss.

Day Three: The Sacrifice Day

Friar tells the Parable of the Tenants and how Jesus took on our burdens of sin. Based on Luke 20:9-17 Option - Friar could tell the Story of Pilgrim's Journey to the Heavenly City (Gospel Presentation).

Instead of class sessions, there is a games and field sports day - in the midst of which a comical "skit obstacle race" for the staff, crooked Da Boss trys to fix, betting against her entry,a laden down Pilgrim, " -- but traveller giving his staff in exchange for pilgrim's burden -- runs in his place - Da Boss draws a "sword" on Traveller when he wins and chases him off.

Day Four: Invitations Day

Friar or Herald will tell the Parable of the Great Banquet. Lessons from Luke 14:15-24

Skits: Fair Crier makes lots of "Hear ye! Hear ye!" announcements. Lady Elizabethan and Da Boss do a "Good News- Bad News" skit. Just before the story, Herald announces the great banquet feast for the King. Da Boss is certain she has an invitation (she doesn't), but everyone else seems to have numerous excuses. After the story, Fair Crier announces that since they refused, the invitation is extended to all - come as they are.

Day Five: The King’s Coming Day

The Friar tells the parable of the Pounds Lessons from Luke 19:12-24

Skits: Everyone is excited, the king is coming. A skit has three girls (including Da Boss and Lady Elizabethan) fighting over a trunk full of dresses - and what to wear to greet the king. Friar is frantic, they won't be ready. Da Boss both doubts he is coming and worries if he does leading into the story. At the final Torchlight assembly, Traveller arrives on horse back, dressed magnificently as the King, who reveals his search in disguise for Pilgrim, his long lost son, the prince. Da Boss is exiled from the fair, then, as she repents is forgiven.

You are welcome to explore and use Eldrbarry's VBS curriculums in your ministries,
but please e-mail Barry McWilliams (Eldrbarry) for permission
and include my name and and copyright on materials you take from my site.

Even small donations to our Mission Fund would much appreciated. I am currently raising support for my next Mission Trip to Uganda, probably in 2009. My most recent mission trip was in November of 2007. I also ministered in Uganda for three weeks in March 2003, and again May, 2005. My wife has done three mission trips to Hungary with International Messengers.

So many in past years have used my material with only a word of thanks, or less. So many ask permission to use the materials, but then neglect to make even a small donation. Donations toward our future mission trips can be sent to via Paypal or by mail to McWilliams' Mission Fund, 1609 Lombard, Ave, Everett, Wa., 98201; made out to Barry McWilliams.

">McWilliams' Mission Fund, 1609 Lombard, Ave, Everett, Wa., 98201 made out to Barry McWilliams.

A Pilgrim at the Fair(© 1998) is a Vacation Bible School Curriculum
by Barry McWilliams - Asst Pastor for Equipping Ministries at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church

You are welcome to explore and use Eldrbarry's VBS curriculums in your ministries,
but please e-mail Barry McWilliams (Eldrbarry) for permission
and include my name and and copyright on materials you take from my site.

So many in past years have used my material with only a word of thanks, or less. It has been discouraging to see how many ask permission to use the materials, but then neglect to make even a small donation. You are welcome to explore and use Eldrbarry's VBS curriculums in your ministries,
but please e-mail Barry McWilliams (Eldrbarry) for permission
and include my name and and copyright on materials you take from my site.

So many in past years have used my material with only a word of thanks, or less. It has been discouraging to see how many ask permission to use the materials, but then neglect to make even a small donation. I am currently raising support for my next Mission Trip to Uganda, probably in 2009. My most recent mission trip was in November of 2007. Even small donations to our mission fund would much appreciated. I also ministered in Uganda for three weeks in March 2003, and again May, 2005. My wife has done three mission trips to Hungary with International Messengers. Donations toward our future mission trips can be sent to McWilliams' Mission Fund, 1609 Lombard, Ave, Everett, Wa., 98201; made out to Barry McWilliams.