Hello!!

[Autumn Blaize]

Hi everyone! We have been going to TRF for years but are going to get to go to Sherwood this year! Saving up the money now!!! Can't wait to try out a new faire as I have only been to TRF. Any tips on how things are different? We will be camping and I know there is clan camping but our clan has not been so how is the non clan camping? Thanks!! Can't wait to see everyone! And to those in the TRF thread that I already know HI!

[scarletnyx]

I am sure others will expand on this, but here is my two cents!

first of all, Sherwood is smaller. So it immediately has a more "personal" air about it. No huge crowds pushing you this way and that, not -too- many drunk people making a scene; more people in straight up garb, not just fantasy/Whatever the mess you call that guy walking around with a Deadmaus head.

It is also literally in the middle of a forest - no sparsely forested grounds here. Leaves are underfoot, and even on the last weekend there is plenty of grass around.

As for camping... This year will be the first for the Williams household to camp at TRF, so I really can't compare the two. I do prefer Sherwood, and nothing can dislodge that from my heart. Their showers are simple and open to the sky, so you will take a shower in the morning under cool water ( Felt so good after a hot night! ) watching nature carry on above you. The campgrounds are rough, so expect a lot of ankle killers if you will aroundabouts the road on walkabout. also ants. My feet got eaten up this weekend, but I think that was more due to the rain than anything, last year they weren't so bad.

so in short! Overall, SWFF is much more rustic, homely, and primitive than TRF. Bring sunscreen, plenty of water if it's hot, and bug repellent if you do not want itchy feet and surprises in your tent despite not having any food in it.

[PollyPoPo]

Also keep in mind the Sherwood Faire is February and March.  More likely to be cooler than most weeks at TRF (read that to mean COLD! and WET!).  Other weekends the weather is absolutely beautiful and a few times, blistering sun.  On the whole my family is more comfortable at Sherwood with the cooler weather.  A tent heater comes in handy as well as making sure your tent is actually waterproof or use tarps to keep out the night rain. 

I've been camping in Clan area and we go out a couple weeks before to police the area and lay down ant killer if necessary.  Haven't had much of a problem with ants because of the season. 

The Faire preps the open camping area.  A lot of the ground is sandy. Since this is a new campground, the ground itself is still kind of wild and unpacked (trees, not a cow pasture that's been trampled down for years).  I believe more area has been cleared for open camping. 

Because of smaller size in general, it is easy to camp, go into Faire with capes and cloaks, then go back to camp to drop off the extra clothing as the day warms up. 

There are port-a-potties.  Campfires have to be in raised, mesh covered fire-pits, not on the ground.  15-20 minutes from a couple small towns with McDonalds, Wal-Mart, etc.  5 minutes from a gas station. 

Other than campfires and torches, it can be super dark in late night unless the moon is out, then it's lit pretty nicely.  There are walk-arounds, just don't try using a short-cut through wooded areas by yourself.  Saw a few people try that last year; they just didn't believe us when we told them they couldn't get through that way.  

There are various postings throughout this category about camping but headings do not always indicate camping, so do a search for the word camp the Sherwood category to pull up more info. 

There is a page about camping at the main Sherwood website that might give you some info.

Naturally Sherwood camping is much smaller than TRF, but fun and interesting, really interesting.  The "this time at faire" stories are already starting to grow.

[Merlin the Elder]

Opening weekend 2nd season, it was hot (to me). I wasn't in the compound for 15 minutes before I had to return to the van and drop off my cape.

Opening weekend 3rd season, it was nice (to me). I didn't get hot once. It did sleet briefly on Sunday.

[Hercules]

I don't camp (camped once at TRF and that was once too many!) so I can't comment on the camping.

We do visit quite a few RenFests including TRF, Scarby, Norman OK, Colorado RenFest and recently Minn. RenFest and I can say we like Sherwood the best of all. It's small but not too small. Has much more friendly atmosphere. The vendors don't have people harassing patrons to buy-buy-buy. And the patrons that do visit are more civil then some of the crowds you might encounter at the larger faires.

[PollyPoPo]

Ah, yes.  You might need some kind of flashlight or lantern in the dark evenings to walk the roads of the campgrounds. No paved avenues these; and there are no sidewalks - anywhere.  Some people wander around in the dark, but this old lady wouldn't make it past our firepit without a light. 

There is a designated "family/quiet" area, but it is not much removed from the non-quiet.  The campmaster and crew keep a close eye on noise and hoopla, troublemakers and stuff.  There is the sporadic fool (as I said, interesting), but nothing that goes unhandled for long.

As time gets closer to Faire dates, keep an eye out here (and SWFF facebook page) for postings by Mike Pullen. 

[BloodTracker]

What everyone else said, but do not forget the ear plugs!   Oh, those drums!

[Autumn Blaize]

Thank you everyone! I am in TRF mode at the moment lol but it shall pass all too soon! Got some great advice! As for the drums...it is my favorite thing to fall asleep too!! lol

[PollyPoPo]

Drums at Sherwood!  Whoot!

There is a point in the night when Sherwood playtron camps start quieting down.  A few voices ring out, kind of like the old Good night John Boy, Good night Jenny girl stuff from TV long ago.  Without all the hubbub, the human voice carries on the night air.

Last year, as two of us lay in the almost quiet, some distance away a sole drummer was still drumming.  Suddenly he stopped.  I couldn't help but exclaim, in a normal voice to my friend on the other side of the tent, "Oh, I was enjoying the drum so much!"  About 2 seconds of silence followed, he gave us 2 beats, tap-tap, then continued his rhythm, just a little bit quieter than before. 

[rengypsy]

dear beautiful people,

it made me smile and a warming in my heart as i read your comments about sherwood.  the new campgrounds just opened up are gorgeous, but quaint.  additional clan areas are under development from what i hear. we want all comments and critiques as this is our collective faire.  we--you and us--are building it together! 

love yall,
rengypsy

[Merlin the Elder]

Love you back, RenGypsy. Sherwood Forest is unique in so many ways. If I lived within striking distance, I'd be there for every faire day, and every special day, but, alas, one weekend is all we can swing. Some of my faire friends that I have been bragging to about you may join us for opening weekend in 2013, plus, if everyone holds their stuff together here, there should be 5 of us traveling down from LR in Homer, the Odyssey, for opening. It's a magical place!

[LadyStitch]

Due to issues beyond his control the other Flamingo Brother can't go to TRF this year. HOWEVER he is wanting to come visit for opening weekend of Sherwood.  He is willing to drive from Biloxi Mississippi just for your faire, well and to see his little fuzzlet niece. 

[Glaodian]

I miss Sherwood.  Can't wait till opening weekend.