Coming from Scarby

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

OH No not another ZANY, Crazy Frog... zee French are so shall we say stupide, plein d'esprit, perdus dans leur propre monde, et pourtant très belle,

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

Yeah, what she said !!

[Francisco Paula]

Come on the French have brought us such great things....french fries, french toast, French Kiss 

[Zoë]

And ME, of course! 

[Demetrius]

"I told 'em we already got one..."

[Tanda]

My wife and I will be in Colorado in June and are planning on visiting your faire. We are actively involved playtrons down here. In fact I work harder at faire than I do on my job.

We have never been to this faire before, so what do you recommend?
What should we look for?
Where are the good places to eat?
Anything else we need to know?

OH, you had to ask...

Well, Let me tell you!
Get there nice and early for a good parking spot! And if you come later, make sure you know where the shuttle stop is..you'll need it for the end of the day!

So, Opening at 10:00, you are of course the first in line because you got there early. Wave to the King and Queen as you pass into the lovely village of Larkspurshire. The streets are lined with people greeting you. Wave and say hi, but keep moving or you will be trampled. You may consider dancing with the fairies before you get too far up the road. Once you've had you fill of fairies, walk straight past the giant purple Pan statue(a good meeting point if lost) to the bakery. There are lovely breakfast items here, including hot coffee which you may need.

Breakfast firmly in hand, wander downhill a bit and to the left (everyone else is going the other way, up and to the right of the gate, you will avoid the crowd) to get your face painted by our own Mistress Charlotte. This is good for Pirates, Princesses, and Knights of all ages. Get it done while the faces are still mostly clean  You can take a look see at the sword shop just off to the side of Mistress Charlotte's booth as well.

You've eaten, the caffeine is kicking in, and you are beautiful. What to do? Attend a joust of course! Depending on how long you lingered over breakfast and choosing face paint, you probably still have some time before the first joust, but that's alright, you have a lot to see on the way. The first joust is the family friendly as it is the least violent. It's a tournament of skill, so they don't actually tilt at each other. But the horses are amazing and are often walked in the arena beforehand, so it's good to get there a little early if you are a horse loving person. The joust starts at 11:30.

Getting to the joust is part of the fun. After leaving the face paint booth, you will see that you are surrounded by many splendid shops. Fairy wings, nuts, pottery, and souvenirs. The nuts make a good snack for during the joust (There is a lot of food, but remember, you are walking around at altitude in heat, you need food and water...a lot of both) especially if you didn't have protein for breakfast. There is also the Da Vinci ride with flying machines modeled after his own sketches. Fun for the wee ones...also great photos. Just up ahead are privies, and it may be time for a potty break before you sit down for joust.

Once you are ready, head towards the Globe Stage. Remember where this is. Most of the shows here are family friendly and there is food nearby! There is usually a 10:45 show on this stage, and so can be a good time to catch it, depending on how fast you move. Just past the Globe is the spinster sitting under a tree. If you have ever wondered how sweaters are made from sheep, she's the one to ask. She also marks where a misting tent is for those hot days. As you wander on, you'll see the Maze and the Giant Rocking Horse. Things to come back to after the joust.

In the not-so-far distance, you hear bells. They are playing....."Carol of the Bells" Oops, you are late! You should have a seat for joust by now! Hurry! Pick a side, good or evil. Good is on your left, evil is on your right. The bells you hear is the carillon, a magnificent instrument. He plays before every joust. (In years past, "Carol of the Bells" has been his second to last song, and the cheerleaders cue to get in position   )

And...Joust.

After joust, the options open up. And everything is uphill from joust, so decide carefully. There is a Children's Realm (petting zoo) on one side and up the hill are many fun shops. On the other side there is the Fortune Stage which has either an hypnotist or vaudeville act on it. Both acts are the same group of people and are family friendly. The vaudeville act has dogs! They usually start just after joust, so you can trundle on over. There is also food and drink near that stage, including my favorite, the beef stew in a bread bowl. These shows run several times a day, so you can catch them later if you want to pet animals and get to shopping instead. I prefer to catch their last show of the day as it puts you behind the bulk of the crowd when leaving the Festival. So, let's go pet a goat instead!

Once you are petted out, you can head up the hill - after washing your hands. Up this hill are numerous shops. There are baubles, leather goods, clothing, drums - a fun one, and I believe a henna shop. You will need to walk it more than once as you can't see both sides at once. In the middle of the lane there is the King's Catapult (giant trampolines) and Camel rides - or llama rides for the wee ones. After the camels, you'll see the chapel to the downhill side and the Greyhounds to the uphill. There is usually a hound out to pet, so check it out. Just past the chapel, the fairies have usually set up a storytelling tent of sorts. Check out times for these stories for anyone that enjoys a good story. The wishing well is up ahead. Go ahead, Make A Wish. (That's a joke, proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation)

Moving onward, you'll see a pirate ship. Just sitting there.... It's a store! Buy some booty. Just down from the store is the Pirate's Pub. There is a stage here and some of the groups are family friendly, but in general, not the place for the young'uns. So, a great place for the rest of us! Just past the pirate ship is a large food court and...at last...picnic tables. This food court has many many choices and extends across a stage and down to the bakery  - more coffee? These tables are a good place to plop down for the 1pm parade. It goes right by here and includes an Elephant! Don't get in the way of the Elephant! Wave back to the people in the parade.

By this time, you probably have a few stage shows you want to see before second joust. Go see them. The second joust of the day is a fully armored joust and they do actually tilt at each other. Not bloody, and certainly more exciting than the first.

After second joust, time to see the other half of the Festival. Yes, you've only seen half! Go back up the other side of the hill you went up after the first joust, see the other shops. Go past the food court, after getting an ice cold soda from the pop stand in the middle, just behind the royal pavilion. If you walked slowly, the queen may be back in the pavilion. Go say hi! The court is great fun to talk to. Behind the royalty lies the King's Swing. The whole family can ride this together. It's magnificent! Wandering by the shops behind the swing is shady and usually quiet. If you follow this path up the hill, you will reach the Puke and Snot pirate ship stage. Just before it, there is a climbing wall perfect for aspiring knights and pirates. After that climb, you'll need more to drink. Fortunately, there are drink booths next to P&S. Head down the hill on the other side to find some of the quaintest shops in the shire. Candles, art, clothing.

There is another stage here. The Washing Well Wenches. This is a great show. Just behind the stage are three fabulous shops. Chain mail, swords, and the most beautiful clothes. Peruse these, then head over to the gypsy camp.

There should be a pickle man here. Buy a pickle. Buy three, they're yummy and good for you! This loop includes such wonders as the elephant rides, archery, and the Celestial stage. This is generally a good stage for family shows - including Charming University with Charming and Dashing *le sigh, le heartbeat, le sigh*, and there is a funnel cake shop just behind it. Mmmm...funnel cake. This is also a good place for buying things..or getting hair braided. There's a bread shop, more wax shop, a flower shop, and Mister, if you have yet to buy your Missus a flower from the wandering flower people, you are a slacker and can redeem yourself here. There's also a good soap shop in this loop.

As you finish this loop, you will head downhill and see birds of prey next to shoulder dragons. Both good booths. Who doesn't love owls? You will now see the entrance/exit. If you are going to the last joust, you better head that way, if you are not, you have time to catch some final shows of your favorites - including the show to end shows at the Pirate Pub. And a final drink and some pre-dinner. Or maybe you remember seeing that chocolate shop next to the joust field. You should absolutely take home some fudge for dessert. The peanut butter fudge is to die for.

So, that's what you should see, eat, and shop. I hope this helps. 






What?!?! I wuvs my Faire. 

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

WOW Tanda... that5 was detail. Do your fingers hurt after typing it? I know mine would be.

[Ronald the Bald]

That was a detailed report. I will have to read it a few times as I don't think I got it all the first time through.

I hope to spend some time watching shows. Rarely get to do that here. With pike arches for weddings (13 so far this year), parade, moving a harp, and guarding the queen I don't have time for much else. I haven't watched a parade at any faire for years as I end up marching in faires I visit too, so watching should be fun.

I only get to see the final joust here (when the queen wants to go) as I am busy during the others. You have the same knights as we do. My wife gets to carry out the deceased after the final joust.

If you see us there don't be shy about greeting us, we aren't. Here are some pics that should help.
http://www.pbase.com/paul42/image/111370869
http://www.pbase.com/paul42/image/111932125

[Avan]

Wow Tanda,  That's a lot of stuff to do and a lot of walking.   Here is the easier method.

Go in front gates
Turn left and head straight to Pirates Pub.
Get a drink and sit down and listen to the groups doing bawdy songs.
Look around and see all parents with their kids and wonder if they realize that this is a PUB.
Get up and wander to the Privies - easier to go downhill full and the back up empty.
Repeat steps 3-6
Occasionally get up to get food.   Steak on a stake and cheesy bread - ultimate combo
Listen to songs get bawdier
watch as patrons jump at the big loud noise at 630 (closing cannon)
eventually go home.



See much easier and less walking. 

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

Grammercy - I have my day planned now! 

[Francisco Paula]

Oh and don't forget for the pyro in everyone Wilsome is on the globe stage at 5:30 i believe. Watch fireballs be blown, watch him do fireballs off his light hand, watch him light the fluid in his mouth first than blows his fireball.

Now looking at the entertainment page we have several new shows coming to our little shir so even the regulars have something new to look at.

Oh at the pirates pub watch for the press gangs

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

After a bit-o-time at the pub, I, too, can blow fireballs 

[Francisco Paula]

But out which end? 

[Ronald the Bald]

Where is a Wendys I can get a coupon at in Colorado Springs or south of there? We are driving up Friday night and need to make a quick stop. Two for one sounds like a good deal.

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

But out which end? 

I am ambidextrous!!