Medieval Fantasy Festival

The Ratapult

Toy Rats will be launched from Catapults & Trebuchets!

Plague Take the Rats!

Enter the Ratapult!

Win Prizes, Fame, Glory!

The Flying Rats return to Downtown Vacaville!  The Ratapult, where toy rat puppets are launched from a catapult or a trebuchet, is a favorite part of the Medieval Fantasy Festival.  How medieval – siege engines, rats (no plague, though), pageantry and lots of frivolity. 

Businesses will costume rats to highlight what their business does.  They will be on display in Ray’s Cycle window at 400 Main St. beginning April 13.  All businesses are invited to participate.  During the festival the public can vote on their favorite by following the directions in the window display of rats.  On Sunday some business rats will go ‘out to launch’.

The public is not left out. as they will have their own costume contest and time to fly.  The Publc is invited to purchase a rat and create a costume for it in one of three  categories.  The first is “Pairs” where the rat and its ‘handler’ have coordinated costumes.  The second is Home made – sewn, glued, or created by the handler.  The third is Pre-Fab – using store bought ‘doll clothes’.  The costumed rats will compete for prizes.  Some will go on to be launched, flying 125 feet plus into a crash landing. 

Rats don’t have to fly.  (Some are fearful, some don’t want to get their clothes dirty, some like the flying but not the landing!)  But the highlight of the Ratapult is the competition for the longest distance launch from the trebuchet and catapult down Parker Street.  Sir Mouse-kot is the current medal holder and plans to return to defend his title.  Costumes add hilarity and unpredictability to these high flying rats.

For those who did not know ahead of time, ‘Same Day Rats’ will be available at the festival.  They will be sporting a numbered cape and are pre-stuffed, ready to fly. 

Rats, rules, and entry forms are available at Ray’s Cycle, Pure Grains Bakery, and the Downtown Office at 311 Parker St.  The cost is $20 which includes the puppet rat.  If you already have a rat from a previous year, the cost is only $10.