Chad Cary, known to his friends as "Ash", has been working with animals his entire life. Horses, bears, dogs, big cats, and birds of prey were his friends growing up. Former employers in the animal world have called him a true beastmaster.

He began working at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in the 1980's as an independent performer. The late 80's saw him as a cast member. The 90's brought him to jousting at the Faire and all over the U.S., but the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire has always been his home.

Early in 2001, Ash left jousting to become partner with Mark Westman in KnightHawkes Medieval Falconry performing shows all over the east coast. One season later Ash was KnightHawkes as Mark wished to change focus.

Phoenix Falconry, Ash's own company and the only historically accurate Falconry show in the U.S., came home to PA in 2004. Three years later, Ash and his family at the Faire embarked on creating the country's first in‐house Falconry Program. Now, in our second year, things are progressing well, and Ash would like to sincerely thank everyone who has supported this venture along the way.

The Raptors on tour program is the only one of it’s kind in the U.S. and we have big dreams for this idea. The main focus of the program is to educate the public about birds of prey. On the back of a very successful year we look forward to expanding our program and breaking ground on a new building.