New to Sherwood

[Lady Kaalyn]

This year will be my first year for my group to visit Sherwood Forest Fair, we usually just hit TRF and Scarborough but have heard so many good things about Sherwood we decided our year would not be complet without attending.  So my questions are:

Which weekend is the most fun? 
Which weekend is better for camping? (I'm a total wimp in the cold)
What is the camping like?
What should I expect from the camp grounds?

Lady Kaalyn

[dbaldock]

This year will be my first year for my group to visit Sherwood Forest Fair, we usually just hit TRF and Scarborough but have heard so many good things about Sherwood we decided our year would not be complet without attending.  So my questions are:

Which weekend is the most fun? 
Which weekend is better for camping? (I'm a total wimp in the cold)
What is the camping like?
What should I expect from the camp grounds?

Lady Kaalyn

The first weekend should be a lot of fun (several folks from out of town/state will be there then), and also the 3-day weekend (Spring Break).

I stay with friends who live near the Faire, so I haven't camped - someone else will need to answer those questions.


Take Care,
David Baldock

[<Alex>]

  Since you've done TRF (and I haven't been to Scarborough) I'll compare it to TRF.

  Yep, opening weekend is when the most people from the forums show up.  Spring Break sees a lot of people who are on vacation.  It's a smaller faire, though, so don't expect the massive crowds.

  As far as camping is concerned, SWFF  has got the clan/general/family/RV camping areas, porta-johns, and heated showers.  There's a small store near the entrance, but it doesn't carry all that much stuff. No food/drink being sold in the campgrounds, no flush toilets, or wifi either.  The campgrounds are smaller (in terms of overall area) more densely wooded. The entire vibe is much more relaxed- no loud music, no constant  police patrols, smaller fires, and lots of people visiting each others' campsites.

      If TRF were a big holiday party, then SWFF would be a family reunion.   I would also recommend camping with a clan.  The experience can't be beat.

   It's hard to say when the warmest (or least cold) weekends would be.  This is Texas weather we're talking about. 

   Last year's opening day was unseasonably cold. Aside from that, It's usually 60-70 in the day time and the low-mid 40's at night. Around Spring Break, I wouldn't worry about any cold weather.  Still, don't forget to pack a heater or an extra article of clothing (cloak or jacket) just in case.

[mpullen]

Watch out for the campground's manager. He's one crazy old guy.

[KiltedPrivateer]

We typically purchase a FoF pass and camp every weekend.  I have not found a weekend that was not fun at this faire.  It is our favorite faire.

The camping cannot be beat.  As Alex pointed out, the weather is completely unpredictable during this part of the year.  Some weekends are perfectly comfortable, some are very chilly and some quite warm.  Sherwood seems to get a little of everything.

If you need a place for a tent and don't have a clan, feel free to send me a private message and I will send you a little info about Clan Procrastination and our camp site.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in the forest.

[Lady Kaalyn]

I am glad to here that the camping is good.  I love TRF but there are so many campers who come just to camp and party and dont seem to be there for the faire.  I am not sure what weekend my group will be comming but there will be between 5-8 of us depending on who can go.

[maeven]

Opening weekend is always so much fun, especially if it's your first time there. Take time to see the shops and the acts. The acts are great! And let's not forget the yummy goodies that are at Sherwood--but that's probably in another thread. Either way, I'm sure your first time at Sherwood will be a good one!

[Merlin the Elder]

Watch out for the campground's manager. He's one crazy old guy.

What he said. Times 50. And we don't even camp.

As per expected weather, this will be our third trip to Sherwood, all opening weekend. Two years ago, mid-80s; last year, a brief bout of sleet. Like <Alex> said, it's Texas.  We are only able to make one trip a year since it's a 900 mile round trip, but it is SO worth it!

It's an earlier time period than TRF or Scarby (Scarby is our "home" faire). Facilities are a bit more rustic, the grounds are beautiful, and the people are awesome. This will be Sherwood's 4th season, but the development of the faire belies its young age. You will find the faire to be much more intimate, partially due to its smaller size, muchly due to the owners and management, who seem to be Rennies first, and operators second.

This is one of three faires that are on our regular tour each year now, and for the past couple of years, we've added a fourth—the site of the annual RenDezvous.  While each has its very own special draw and things that set them above all others, there is a magic at Sherwood that is not as apparent in the others. I hope that magic never fades.

Lady Kaalyn, come join us! Enjoy the camaraderie, the family, the fairemily. If you wish to meet a lot of the people on this forum, opening weekend should be good!

[LibraryPrincess]

I haven't camped, so I can't answer those questions, but just about any weekend is a good weekend to go. Sherwood is smaller than the other faires and has lots more trees, so it has a very cozy and intimate feeling that I think adds to the "magic" of the faire. They also have an impressive collection of faeries and elves on cast.

Hope to see you there! ^_^

[Lady Kaalyn]

Are there any unwritten rules that I need to know before I go, be it in faire or camp.  Dont want to cause any issues. 

[<Alex>]

 

  They don't want permanent structures -exceptions exist, but this is a general rule.

  Use local wood (within a couple dozen miles) in your fire in order to prevent the spread of out-of-area illness/parasites to local trees.  If you're coming from Houston on 290, you'll be driving through small town called Giddings (some 15 miles away from the faire and my current town of residence). After passing the train tracks, you'll see a white building with some firewood out front on the left side of the street.  If you go into the auto-shop behind it and ask about some wood, they'll set you up.  It's around 25 or 50 cents a piece, I believe.

  And then there's the general stuff: nothing that would get you arrested, no streaking, no loud music (especially after it gets late), respect fellow campers, etc.

[KiltedPrivateer]

Sherwood Faire Rules:

• Visit as many shops as you can in one weekend, then visit them again
• Try a sampling from each food vendor without putting yourself into a food coma
• Dance with a faerie
• Flirt with a man in a kilt
• Don't drink so much during the day that you can't hang out at the fire at night
• Cringe when the meaning of "Full Contact Joust" is experienced with the thud of the first knight to hit the ground
• Enjoy the trees
• Reminisce in the Seven Sisters
• By all means, don't live by any rules and enjoy the magic

[Lady Kaalyn]

I am really really looking forward to the jousting.  I heard it is really amazing. 

[mpullen]

<moving soapbox onto stage>

All the above are very good suggestions.

Above all, come prepared for anything. Weather can change from Friday to Sunday.

In the Patron's campgrounds, there are usually various parties Friday night. Most are glad to allow folks outside the group to visit.

Bring toilet paper, as the port-a-potties may run out before they get serviced. Plus bring a flashlight for those late night potty runs.

I tour the campgrounds during the day and early evening on my golf cart. If you have any specific questions or concerns, flag me down. Also, many folks have my cell #. I don't have an Internet connection during the weekend. Also, just before closing, I'll be at the Seven Sisters, getting the bonfire going. Other than that, I travel all over the Faire area, plus Patron's and Participant's campgrounds.

<off soapbox and scooting it into the corner>

[Riff Raff]

I am really really looking forward to the jousting.  I heard it is really amazing.

Indeed.  The double unhorsing I saw last season was amazing/terrible to behold.  It's a new group doing the jousting this year, though.  Here's hoping they keep up the momentum our previous group helped build!