I went to Sherwood today. Now THAT'S what a renaissane faire is supposed to be (reminded me of TRF 20 years ago). TRF has long been my home faire, but no more. I keep going to TRF year after disappointing year hoping it will come back and be restored to it's previous grandness as a faire, but after a day at Sherwood, I have realized that the mantle no longer resides with TRF but has taken up a new home at Sherwood! IF you have not been, WOW!!!! It's SO worth it!
There be magyck at Sherwood...
Scarborough has been putting up so much new stuff lately, there is no room. there are others I have spoken with that feel the same way. wait until you see how far the new buildings on the end got moved (the fire area) they took out lots of walking and sitting space. It`s getting way to conjested.
Sherwood became my new home faire about an hour after the gates opened the first time
Sherwood is still a little small for my tastes. Not bad, but small. I think there is a happy medium between the three fairs, but there will always be problems with growth v intimacy of a venue.
Each faire has it's own special place in my heart and for different reasons. The differences between them make each a unique experience. It's not just the venue, but also the people I look forward to seeing at each place.
I agree with you, Bonny. If they were all the same, there would be no point in visiting them all.
Sherwood is only small in terms of patronage so far, and that isn't going to last long. I first visited on opening weekend of their second year, and could not believe how big they were for their age. Physical size is moderate, but what Sherwood lacks in size is more than made up for in many other ways. Your comment, Chris, while not negative, is the least positive comment I've come across regarding Sherwood, and don't worry...I'm not criticizing you! It ain't TRF, and maybe it never should be. You can't compare other faires to TRF and not consider them smaller, because they ALL are!
But that's neither here nor there. We find the most magic where we're the most comfortable. You like TRF, and I like Scarby and Sherwood. I've been to TRF, although the last time was 20 years ago. I found it too daunting for my taste, but I'm a really laid back kinda wizard. Sherwood has a well-earned reputation for being a home for us Rennies.
I now have 5 different faires under my belt. No great feat compared to a lot of you, but I have found positive and negative things about all five. I'm a database application programmer...maybe I should work up a method of analyzing the different faires. That could be fun. (Yeah...I'm a geek)
I did not say bad, just small. I was a little skeptical my first year when there seemed to be a push for more "historical accuracy", yet nothing was. It seemed a little too tailored to some of the hardcore rennies out there without enough focus on the average person that walks through the gate. Please don't take this the wrong way, but it just seemed a little too much like a carnie gathering to me. I guess the feeling was more circus in semi-medieval dress. Just read this as me trying to explain something subjective and hard to put into words as best I can. It really is not meant as derogatory to any of you in any way.
The past two years, it has grown tremendously and I have noticed a markeable improvement in accuracy although I am told the standards are being loosened a bit to draw in more people. I was impressed this year when I visited for the third year now. I spent money, supported the acts and do see potential in it so don't take my comment as intended to be negative. Also, I am not old enough or have enough years under my belt in this community to even remember the good ole days unless you mean 2007.
It really is all about personal preference. I think if I had to pick one of the three for me this year it would be Scarby, but it is just so darn far away. I will definitely be back to Sherwood next year though and will try to make it out more. My lack of attendance this year was just schedule conflicts more than a statement against the fair. Imagine that, being busy as a CPA in the first quarter of the year. Nothing important in business happens then... ::)
I understood, Chris...didn't mean to infer otherwise. I didn't see Sherwood the first year, but, yeah, some aspects are definitely tailored to the hardcore Rennie it seems. I don't necessarily see that as bad unless that is what the entire focus is placed upon. We, the Rennies, are simply not that strong as a group, when it comes to financial support for a business. Yeah, it sucks, but it's fact.
Nonetheless, there is a magic at Sherwood that I'm not sure I've seen elsewhere. It could be infatuation, but who knows...yet. I hope it grows in all directions, encompassing both the Rennie community that we are all part of, and the Mundane community, who is most likely the bulk of the financial support of any faire.
I am a weird one in that I actually enjoy TRF's size. What bugs me about it are the same complaints a lot of other people have about the over-commercialization, the "plastic" feel to it, and that it feels less like a ren faire and more like a renaissance flea market. 7-in-10 shops there are selling products mass-produced by someone else, whereas at least half of Sherwood's shops are retailing wares made by the owners/staff. It is an artisan's faire. I am keeping my word to Terre and giving TRF another shot this year, but my home faire has been Sherwood for a couple of years now.
TRF to me is getting to be like a certain Houston Sci-Fi con that I used to attend every year. Tons of fun for a while, but over the years certain things there gotten more and annoying, to the point where I've found myself justifying my attendance by saying it's only to see my friends, or it's an institution and I'm part of it, etc
Quote from: Breandan on April 02, 2012, 09:44:43 PM
I am a weird one in that I actually enjoy TRF's size. ...
I don't consider that weird at all. If we all liked the same things, we wouldn't have anything to fight about... ::)
The last time I was at TRF—when the in-laws lived in north Houston in the late 80s—we were only there for a few hours. ANY faire would seem huge if you're trying to do it in limited time. I would need to do TRF for a whole weekend, like we try to do all faires we go to now. Even trying to do Scarby in one day is a stretch, and it's getting harder every year as age takes its toll. For me to fairly assess TRF, I need to make another trip down!
Could it be a case of "familiarity breeding contempt," Breandan?
I have been attending TRF every year since 1991, not as long as some but longer than most. I have seen many changes both good and bad. While I dearly miss the Battle Mound and the chariot races (rigged), I appreciate newer things like the privy next to the Sea Devil and the A/C in the Prince of Wales. I miss certain acts that have left, like The Flying Fish Sailors and Gibbon the Trubador, but I look forward to finding new favorites among the new entertainers. I especially like that management is interacting with us on this board and using our feedback. Good job Terre.
Someday I may get the opportunity to experience Sherwood and I have spent many a happy day at Scarborough but for me, I shall continue to attend TRF, come hell or high water, because there I am home and among friends. Some of whom I have't yet met.
We still enjoy TRF. Now that Turkey Day weekend is permanent we can plan the family dinner and all go to TRF for 2-3 days.
There is a lot I miss about the old TRF, and I worry about the dineyfication creeping in. But for now, I can't imagine not going.
Quote from: Breandan on April 02, 2012, 09:44:43 PM
I am a weird one in that I actually enjoy TRF's size.
I love that TRF is as large as it is.
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on April 03, 2012, 05:39:43 AM
For me to fairly assess TRF, I need to make another trip down!
So!! When can we expect to see ya?! ;D
Well, hells bells, Bonny! Every time I come to Texas, y'all are busy! :D
We may have to think about it for 2013. I'm kind of mapping out some possibilities for next year. Kansas City is already on the list, and Scarby & Sherwood, of course.
We're heading east this October for RenDezvous, so Plantersville is kinda out of the question for this year.
I like the biggest of TRF but also enjoy the openess of Sherwood and hope they keep the forest feel of the faire. I enjoy the cast interaction at Scarby, but do miss when the crown meadow was really a meadow with sheep and dogs. Each has things I enjoy and no one could fit all my wants in a faire.
Quote from: SirRichardBear on April 03, 2012, 08:54:38 PM... Each has things I enjoy and no one could fit all my wants in a faire.
There is that, Sir Richard.
LOL MtE! It has been an off year for us to say the least. There is a slim chance we will make closing weekend of Scarby. BUT... we would love to see y'all at TRF one year! Hope y'all can make it next season. :)
I was actually participating at TRF the very first year. It was magical. It still is, but very, very different.
There is no way that something as alive as the festival can stay static.
It can change and grow, or it can die. I'm committed to doing my part to help it grow in a direction of cooperation, mutual trust and a shared vision. It is edifying to sees many others committed as well.
Quote from: Breandan on April 02, 2012, 09:44:43 PM
. 7-in-10 shops there are selling products mass-produced by someone else, whereas at least half of Sherwood's shops are retailing wares made by the owners/staff. It is an artisan's faire. I am keeping my word to Terre and giving TRF another shot this year, but my home faire has been Sherwood for a couple of years now.
I don't know when hubby and I will get to Texas for fair, but I love reading the comments on this thread, the last few years; our road trip time has been split 50/50 between Ren fairs (for fun) and Celtic festivals (Clan reps). Perhaps one day we will be able to get down there.
The comment by Breandan touches on something near to my heart-the overabundance of 'trash' vendors at renfaires. Personally, I think vending at faire should be about handicrafts, not cheap souvenirs.
The economy has spawned a bumper crop of folks trying to make a living selling this stuff. A decade ago, you only saw them at flea markets, state fairs and carnivals, selling plastic princess crowns and pirate pistols, but they are really becoming far too common at Renaissance faires of all sizes.
It's rapidly getting to the point that if faire management seriously wants to maintain a certain ambiance, there has to be a limit to how many of these guys they allow on site, no matter how much money can be made off booth and spot fees.
There is a big profit margin in reselling cheap Chinese toys and trinkets, and most can, and are, sold at faire for 50%-100+% markup. Even so, they are way cheaper than artisan made gifts and toys, and anyone who says they don't hurt business for the craftspeople are fooling themselves.
I could have missed it if it's there, but I haven't seen any trash at Scarborough, and I have seen and bought some pretty awesome stuff there. I didn't run across any junk at Sherwood either. I'm not saying I was in every shop, so I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but I am saying that I have not seen any.
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on May 01, 2012, 04:46:05 PM
I could have missed it if it's there, but I haven't seen any trash at Scarborough, and I have seen and bought some pretty awesome stuff there. I didn't run across any junk at Sherwood either. I'm not saying I was in every shop, so I'm not saying it doesn't exist, but I am saying that I have not seen any.
I don't know about Sherwood, but Scarby is a juried show and has rules about what can be sold in the booths. I believe that also includes what percentage of the product can be made by outside resources, but I'm not sure on that as I've not really done the Craft side of things before. I do know that each vendor has to stick to a pretty stringent set of guidelines as to what they can and cannot sell, though.