TRF I remember

[cyberrennie]

There was time when Robin Hood and his Merry Men swung from ropes off the front gate and  "relieved" KHVIII of his coinage during the opening gate show. But that was when the Robin Hood Stage was in Sherwood, and they swung from ropes and zip lines back there also.

[Botch]

I started in 1997 and do remember the piper(s) on the front gate wall.  These days, if you weigh enough, you can probably break through the top of the wall.  I never saw it.  Ever.  But I always heard it.  I've been a patron before '97 but most of my memories are from then on.

Another thing I kind of remember was the battle mound.  Again, never saw it, however with my smart weed puller mouth, I was always challenged to go there and fight.  Naw, not for me.

I do specifically remember the track around the lake.  THAT was a show.  The sounds of the horses and chariots thundering past at break neck speed.  THAT was something else!!

Human Chess game, Maypole, gypsy area... very depressing they're gone.

good memories.

[Merlin the Elder]

TRF was the first faire I went to. Never knew they existed until my father-in-law took us out there when we visited them in Houston.

That was mid to late 80s perhaps? We had been told by vendors just a few years ago that they didn't like to go to TRF anymore because of all the cheap trash. If I want cheap trash, I'll head to Wally World. I don't mind spending the money, but by damn, I want the quality to go with the price. So far (at Scarby), I haven't been burned. ...back to topic:

But TRF was the faire that started our interest in it all. We saw some amazing things there, the wife's white outfit fell victim to the Mud Diver's act. We saw glass being hand-blown for the first time. It was an adventure, to say the least. I've heard it's grown considerably in the last 25 years...

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Cheap trash?  There is still plenty of quality work being done for TRF... unless they are talking about the patrons and there are some that crawl out from under a rock but on a whole they are still good people. 

[Bonny Pearl]

Cheap trash?  There is still plenty of quality work being done for TRF... unless they are talking about the patrons and there are some that crawl out from under a rock but on a whole they are still good people. 

aawwww thanks fras! lol!   

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

I wasn't referring to TRF playtrons, Bonny (aka...US), more the general populace that attends our glorious faire.





But, now that you mention it, they DO let people, the likes of ME, in... 

[Merlin the Elder]

I sincerely apologize...I didn't mean to imply that ALL the vendors had junk, but I was repeating what one of the vendors had told me.  Since TRF vendors are being juried again, the "made in the republic of garabagé" label may never been seen again! My intention was not to offend...again, I'm sorry.

[Bonny Pearl]

i know fraser, i just couldn't help myself lol!

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

I sincerely apologize...I didn't mean to imply that ALL the vendors had junk, but I was repeating what one of the vendors had told me.  Since TRF vendors are being juried again, the "made in the republic of garabagé" label may never been seen again! My intention was not to offend...again, I'm sorry.

Merlin, don't sweat it... i make a joke out of the most serious subjects, (much to my employers chagrin) up to and including.... well, i just won't go there now. 

[Rapier Half-Wit]

I sincerely apologize...I didn't mean to imply that ALL the vendors had junk, but I was repeating what one of the vendors had told me.  Since TRF vendors are being juried again, the "made in the republic of garabagé" label may never been seen again! My intention was not to offend...again, I'm sorry.

Merlin, don't sweat it... i make a joke out of the most serious subjects, (much to my employers chagrin) up to and including.... well, i just won't go there now. 

That's what SHE said...

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Yeah, but she knew where it had been... 

[Rapier Half-Wit]

Nothing as ugly as an aligator with trench mouth, right?

[batninja]

My first year of attendance was back in 1985, on the annual high school field trip for our English class.  They told us that our tickets were covered, but we may want to bring about $20 for food.

Oh. My. God.

I was simply blown away by all the sights, sounds, and smells of the faire.  We couldn't even see everything in one afternoon!  A favorite spot was the Oriental Gardens; a vendor there sold foam-covered nunchuks.  EVERY boy in my class bought a set, except me, who only brough $20 for food!  (I think I spent the whole sum within the first hour!

Lesson learned: twenty bucks doesn't go at TRF.

I also remember they used to have let you try fencing with friends, with balloons on the sides of our noggins.  Haven't seen that in a LONG time.

In years since, I miss the Robin Hood troupe (with Adrian of Tartanic).  My friend and I used to 'sit in' with them once or twice a year, acting as the Sheriff's henchmen, because we both dressed as soldiers in black surcoats. 

Good times. 

[bookwench]

1985 was my first year at TRF, too.  A group of us went at the urging of our high school economics teacher.  We were all just blown away! I saved up all that next year and was able to buy a Texas Body Hangings cloak (which I still have).  I also remember being fascinated by Lancelot the living unicorn (who was really just a muddy goat with a weird horn grafted to his skull, but I was 15 so what the hell).  I still have the pendant I bought from the Lancelot handlers, too. 

I moved to Dallas after graduation and didn't go back to TRF for over 10 years.  The first time I walked back through those gates though....it was like coming home.  The thing that struck me the most was the SMELL.  Fresh earth and pine trees, spices and perfumes; I hadn't smelled that in a decade but I remembered it immediately.

[Bonny Pearl]

I know exactly what you mean about the aromas as soon as you walk into the gate BW!  Isn't it awesome?!  It immediately directs your thoughts to all that is faire.