Complimentary tickets were provided for us to go back to the sixteenth century 😉
We had a chance to go to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival this past weekend. What made it even more exciting was bringing my parents along with us. My dad and mom are Faire newbies and it was fun to introduce them to this cultural event.
The Scarborough Renaissance Festival is located in Waxahachie, TX (about a 30 mile drive south of Dallas). It’s open every year on Saturdays and Sundays during April and May, plus Memorial Day. The faire opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 7:00 PM, and the festivities go on rain or shine.
It doesn’t matter if you attend with adults like we did, or with children, the Scarborough Renaissance Festival really has something for everyone. Comedy shows, turtle races, mermaids, educational sessions, animals, rides and lots of great food. The performers play their roles with gusto and they’ll make you feel welcome as soon as you step through the gates.
It’s really tough to see everything you might want to throughout the entire day, so a tip I have is to view the schedule online and map out your must see events first. Then you can fit in the other things as you have time, or just wander around as there is no lack of activity.
We made sure that everyone got to do one thing that they thought they’d enjoy, so we started our morning out with my husband’s choice of a Historic Weapons Demonstration.
Then we headed over to the stage right next to it for the Birds of Prey show. There were hawks, falcons, owls and eagles soaring above the audience.
By the time the Birds of Prey show was over it was getting close to lunch time. And my dad was ready for some eats and a beer. Everything tastes better on a stick right? Even for grown ups! We were not disappointed with our Chicken-on-a-Stick and Turkey Legs.
As we were heading to the other side of the festival grounds to take in our next show, we ran into some interesting characters…
As you can see even the locals need a hand getting around the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, just another reason to pick up a program guide for $3.00.
There are some great musical shows at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival and we enjoyed all the ones we took in. It’s amazing to hear music coming from some water in glasses, this is the Donal Hinley Glass Harmonium.
My personal favorite though was Cast In Bronze. This one of a kind bell instrument is incredible.
My mom’s pick from the day’s scheduled events was to go to the Glass Blowing Demonstration. This was so cool and in my opinion if you make your way to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival, a must see.
Your entire senses are going to be indulged at this festival. The colors, the laughter and sounds, the scent of the food.. everything is a feast! Here are some photos I took just walking around the grounds. The attention to detail is everywhere.
Games and Rides
Pretty things 🙂
I think by the end of the day we initiated my parents pretty well into the “Renaissance Festival” crowd.
Maybe next time they’ll even rent some costumes 😉
If you happen to be in the DFW area on the weekends before or on Memorial Day, be sure to stop by the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. If you can’t make it this year… make plans to visit next April or May!
You can learn more about the Scarborough Renaissance Festival on their website, on Facebook and Twitter. If you’re interested in what else Waxahachie, TX has to see and do be sure to follow them on Twitter and Facebook.
Tammy Litke is a Dallas blogger, blogging since 2008. She loves to watch movies, play video games, spend time in the kitchen, and travel. Between recipes and reviews you’ll find many helpful and some just plain funny posts on her blog. Welcome, pull up a chair and stay for a while!
Oh wow, that looks nice! I wouldn't mind going!
It's been years since I've been to a Rennaisance festival. There is one every year near Dayton, OH. My husband, then boyfriend, and I went with my parents and little brother 16 years ago. We had a lot of fun people watching, seeing the demos and eating giant turkey legs! I think my husband's favorite part was being helped to try on a pair of lace up fur lined boots by a buxom assistant who was pouring out of the top of her period costume. 🙂
That beats the ren faires I've been to. Mine were preposterously cheesy. Yours actually looked worth attending with all those demos and shows. Glad you had fun!
Looks like a lot of fun and love that it is outdoors.
I haven't been to a renaissance fair in over 17 years. Looks like a wonderful time.
We went to a renaissance faire a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. There was so much to see and do.
Looks like such a fun day! Love the pictures!
1. I LOVE renaissance anything, what a romantic time (I want to be Maid Marian) and 2. you look exactly like your mom
Oh wow that looks like a really fun day! I have never been to a Renaissance Festival but think it would be fun. Those turkey legs look pretty tasty!
I remember seeing your pics on Instagram! Looks like fun. That is one big turkey leg!
I love the victorian renaissance vibe here. You are so lucky to have special events like these around yoU!
Oh, how fun! I'd definitely love to go to something like this.
The have one here in Colorado. Haven't been for a couple of years, but it is fun (and expensive)
I've never been to a renaissance faire. There is one just over the border in Wisconsin that I have been wanting to go to forever.
Oh wow, I wish we had something like that here. How fun! I love those turkey legs.
No offense to your hubs but I would have loved that Birds of Prey show more than the Historic Weapons Demonstration 😛 That last photo of your parents is awesome!
No offense to your hubs but I would have loved that Birds of Prey show more than the Historic Weapons Demonstration 😛 That last photo of your parents is awesome!
No offense to your hubs but I would have loved that Birds of Prey show more than the Historic Weapons Demonstration 😛 That last photo of your parents is awesome!
I am so envy of your adventure! I have always wanted to go to one of these fairs.
This looks like so much fun
That looks so neat. I have not been to a Renaissance festival of any sorts, but I think it would be fun to go in costume.
This looks really cool and fun! And everything looks so good!
It sure looks like you had a great time at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. I love all of your pics!
Looks like such a fun event. Love the storm troopers!
I've never been to a festival like that before. It looks like a lot of fun!
Great pictures. It looks like you had a wonderful time. I love glass blowing!
Awesome! Looks like a ton of fun!
I was once at a Renaissance Festival. They're so much fun and the costumes are gorgeous!
What fun, love the Storm Trooper in a kilt! We went to a Renaissance festival a few years ago and it is a great family outing. I liked the jousting best, my kids thought the witch dunking was fun.
Looks like fun.
I've been to a couple of Renaissance festival/fairs and loved them!
How fun! I have never been to a renaissance fair or festival but would really like to give it a go. I need to pay closer attention to when our annual one kicks off here in Las Vegas.
This is the first time I'm hearing of the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. The way you described your experience, seems like you had lot of fun :). Though I have never been to this renaissance festival, after reading your exciting review, I'm surely going to attend it next year.