What is your favorite new thing at TRF this year?
Since I did not get to camp the first weekend I would have to say....the new shops! I was surprised to see so many new shops and the fact that all the ones I saw are faire related! Last year I could not believe you could buy pet clothes! This year I found a shop that sales hand carved wooden dragons that was AMAZING! It is their first year and I love to find shops that hand make what they sale! Also Love the fact there are so many new beer choices. I am not a huge beer drinker but nice to know if I want something different (which when I want beer I am picky lol) it is there.
What did you not like this year?
So far the only thing I did not like was I could not get Thorin's mead in faire. He is the campground sponsor which is fantastic and come Pirate weekend I will be thankful. I was really wanting his mead when we arrived and had to settle and did not really drink any because I really do not care for what they had, thankfully my sis in law drank my bottle so there was no mead abuse lol.
New like: The new restaurant with Brazilian style food (of course, some is Americanized for many of us). Everything we had was superb. Gonna be a have-to-do from now on.
Dislike: The distance between stages keeps getting longer and longer. Just cause I'm getting old doesn't mean they have to move the stages further apart!
::)
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 08, 2012, 09:10:35 AM
What is your favorite new thing at TRF this year?
Since I did not get to camp the first weekend I would have to say....the new shops! I was surprised to see so many new shops and the fact that all the ones I saw are faire related! Last year I could not believe you could buy pet clothes! This year I found a shop that sales hand carved wooden dragons that was AMAZING! It is their first year and I love to find shops that hand make what they sale! Also Love the fact there are so many new beer choices. I am not a huge beer drinker but nice to know if I want something different (which when I want beer I am picky lol) it is there.
What did you not like this year?
So far the only thing I did not like was I could not get Thorin's mead in faire. He is the campground sponsor which is fantastic and come Pirate weekend I will be thankful. I was really wanting his mead when we arrived and had to settle and did not really drink any because I really do not care for what they had, thankfully my sis in law drank my bottle so there was no mead abuse lol.
Did you try the Greek Agora? That has been the only place you can usually get his mead.
QuoteWhat is your favorite new thing at TRF this year?
1) The new restaurant and dancers were great. After hearing that the structure took the place of the museum and fighting school, I was worried that they were both gone for good. I was pleasantly surprised to find they had just been moved.
2) The work done on the Sea Devil and Barbarian Inn turned out great.
3) This was our first time camping. We camped with a clan and loved the location. I'd heard a lot of horror stories about camping at TRF, but experienced none of that- probably because security was highly visible. When we had a medical emergency at our camp site, the response was quick and the manager himself showed up to make sure everything was okay.
QuoteWhat did you not like this year?
1) I have a newly acquired fondness for the hookah. I looked all over but couldn't find a hookah lounge, any hookahs, or even any shisha. I was informed several times that there
used to be one, but that it was now gone.
2) The Kwik-E-Mart at the campgrounds was charging 35 bucks for a 12 pack of beer.
3) My wife was very much looking forward to a hot shower only to learn that they weren't operational yet.
Quote from: Riot on October 08, 2012, 10:44:05 AM
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 08, 2012, 09:10:35 AM
What is your favorite new thing at TRF this year?
Since I did not get to camp the first weekend I would have to say....the new shops! I was surprised to see so many new shops and the fact that all the ones I saw are faire related! Last year I could not believe you could buy pet clothes! This year I found a shop that sales hand carved wooden dragons that was AMAZING! It is their first year and I love to find shops that hand make what they sale! Also Love the fact there are so many new beer choices. I am not a huge beer drinker but nice to know if I want something different (which when I want beer I am picky lol) it is there.
What did you not like this year?
So far the only thing I did not like was I could not get Thorin's mead in faire. He is the campground sponsor which is fantastic and come Pirate weekend I will be thankful. I was really wanting his mead when we arrived and had to settle and did not really drink any because I really do not care for what they had, thankfully my sis in law drank my bottle so there was no mead abuse lol.
Did you try the Greek Agora? That has been the only place you can usually get his mead.
Riot, you know my perspective on mead, and how it pretty much doesn't acknowledge Thorin.
I've not tried his "Knightly" mead, but if it is like his "Viking"... whatever it is, I'd prefer to keep my inside intact, TYVM.
Personally, I usually direct people to the Agora, but not for Thorin's.
From what I've had out there, the Redstone mead they carry is probably the best in that price range.
Otherwise, Indulgences has some nice ones. I haven't tasted/shopped at the tasting booth yet.
Things I liked/disliked at Faire, based on opening weekend and some time spent there in the off season:
Likes:
1)Participants are finally allowed to openly visit patron camping. I have a ton of friends that camp, and it was kinda not good that a visit required me to be sneaky.
2)New merch designs at Dragonslayer. The tshirts and mugs no longer look like they are left over from the 70's. Really like the celtic design.
3)The look of the faire in general. During the off season, many of the food stands and buildings got new paint, other shops upgraded, and there are more signs around.
I also like that there are more nice kiosks built in the lanes, plus the new Globe this year and the improved Tower from last year... It all looks great.
Dislikes:
Hard 8pm closing time. It felt a bit late this weekend, particularly when it got cold.
I'm not sure how things will go after Saving Time hits, and we have patrons wandering in the dark for more than an hour or so before closing fireworks.
Most of the last shows are done by 6, so that's a lot of idle time.
The sponsorship overload really worries me.
I realize that it is a business, and wants to make money, but it seems bizarre.
The last thing I expect to see when I enter the grounds of a Ren Fest is a 2013 Camaro and some other cars at the gate.
Feels like next season the cast will have to interrupt the morning proclamation for a commercial break.
Surely there are more subtle ways to handle it.
Overall, I think it's a net win so far.
Looking forward to a good season and time with friends.
Liked:
Fresh look to many shops.
Several performers and shops were cross-promoting later events or related items.
Disliked:
Did it seem oddly dusty compared to all the greenery still around?
The return of smoking throughout the Faire.
Sponsored cars on display and the people badgering you to "Enter to Win" at the gate. (Glad to know I'm not the only one:)
Quote from: Strange on October 08, 2012, 06:13:45 PM
The sponsorship overload really worries me.
I realize that it is a business, and wants to make money, but it seems bizarre.
The last thing I expect to see when I enter the grounds of a Ren Fest is a 2013 Camaro and some other cars at the gate.
Feels like next season the cast will have to interrupt the morning proclamation for a commercial break.
Surely there are more subtle ways to handle it.
Quote from: Strange on October 08, 2012, 06:13:45 PM
Dislikes:
Hard 8pm closing time. It felt a bit late this weekend, particularly when it got cold.
I'm not sure how things will go after Saving Time hits, and we have patrons wandering in the dark for more than an hour or so before closing fireworks.
Most of the last shows are done by 6, so that's a lot of idle time.
I heard that vendors not in the main circle could close at dusk still, it was just those serving the crowds on the way to the exit who had to follow the hard close. Is that not the case?
The Greek Agora was the first place I went and was told it was sold out inside the faire. It was only 10 am so that is just crazy to me.
I spent all the money but I now have new leather and Sandolars...and gloves...and a belt...and I was only there one day. I forget who suggested the Greek Noodles but finally had some and they were quite delicious.
LIKES
The new paint really made a difference.
Never got down to the Barbarian Inn but the new deck at the Sea Devil was great.
DISLIKES
No, I do not want to win a FIAT thank you.
Too many things ending early. It felt like everything ended at 6 and that was that. Maybe it's the old Maryland Rennie in me but I wouldn't mind seeing a Pub Sing say at the Sea Devil.
Lack of signage. If you don't buy a program you may not know where things are. I kept looking for the new Barbarian Inn but never got deep enough to find it. Maybe I just grew up too much on cartoons and like signs with Location and Distance...so if this ever does happen include Albuquerque
That Saturday's tailgating and game took such a toll that I drug weed puller all Sunday morning and didn't get to Faire until 1
Nolekhan,
The only real exception is for shops that do not have electricity.
If you have power, you are expected to have some sort of lighting to stay open.
Gonzo,
The pirates do a pub sing later in the evening, but it is up front at the Prince of Wales pub.
Quote from: JackGonzo, MD on October 09, 2012, 12:14:30 AM
No, I do not want to win a FIAT thank you.
Win a FIAT? That's an oxymoron, isn't it?
When I was in college, a friend was selling his 124 Spider. I asked him how much he wanted. He refused to even tell me. "I don't do that to a friend," he said.
You know, I walked right by the tent thingee outside and never even looked at the signs or listened to them calling. I guess that was the Fiat thing the kids were talking about in the car on the way home, like, what would you do with it, sell it?
Seriously I never see the advertising stuff at TRF, so focused am I on what I do enjoy.
But that's just my selective seeing/hearing that developed with having kids and grandkids. Others in my party were complaining about the commercialization aspect.
Love the new deck at the Sea Devil. It was rather fun being taller than our favorite barmaid lol. She had lots of new randy things to say about the new 'position' lol! :D
Didn't get a chance to see the Barbarian Inn, plan to hit that and the Brazilian place this next round.
Quote from: Strange on October 08, 2012, 05:55:17 PM
Quote from: Riot on October 08, 2012, 10:44:05 AM
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 08, 2012, 09:10:35 AM
What is your favorite new thing at TRF this year?
Since I did not get to camp the first weekend I would have to say....the new shops! I was surprised to see so many new shops and the fact that all the ones I saw are faire related! Last year I could not believe you could buy pet clothes! This year I found a shop that sales hand carved wooden dragons that was AMAZING! It is their first year and I love to find shops that hand make what they sale! Also Love the fact there are so many new beer choices. I am not a huge beer drinker but nice to know if I want something different (which when I want beer I am picky lol) it is there.
What did you not like this year?
So far the only thing I did not like was I could not get Thorin's mead in faire. He is the campground sponsor which is fantastic and come Pirate weekend I will be thankful. I was really wanting his mead when we arrived and had to settle and did not really drink any because I really do not care for what they had, thankfully my sis in law drank my bottle so there was no mead abuse lol.
Did you try the Greek Agora? That has been the only place you can usually get his mead.
Riot, you know my perspective on mead, and how it pretty much doesn't acknowledge Thorin.
I've not tried his "Knightly" mead, but if it is like his "Viking"... whatever it is, I'd prefer to keep my inside intact, TYVM.
Personally, I usually direct people to the Agora, but not for Thorin's.
From what I've had out there, the Redstone mead they carry is probably the best in that price range.
Otherwise, Indulgences has some nice ones. I haven't tasted/shopped at the tasting booth yet.
She asked of his mead, and I know in the past that was the only place to get it so I thought I would help.
I only drink Thorin's because so far it has been the only one I like. I can not stand Chauncers and that was all I could find Sat so I bought a bottle of that just so the others in my group could try mead for the first time. I am open to mead suggestions and locations I can try new ones!!
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 09, 2012, 01:53:56 PM
I only drink Thorin's because so far it has been the only one I like. I can not stand Chauncers and that was all I could find Sat so I bought a bottle of that just so the others in my group could try mead for the first time. I am open to mead suggestions and locations I can try new ones!!
Oberhof is my favorite Texas mead
I also LOVE Bunratty's (and Irish mead)
Chaucer's will do in a pinch
Thorin's is just a bit too, umm sharp of a flavor for me, I like my mead sweeter.
We walked right by the Barbarian Inn, stopped and asked and it's just past the falconers stage on the same side. Sholo's show always good.. Lots of new good looking places. The Fiat didn't bother me as it's outside the realm. Didn't like the change in the parade route. The hookah lounge sounds good as does another coffee shop. I would have bought one but the line was WAYY out the door.
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 09, 2012, 01:53:56 PM
I only drink Thorin's because so far it has been the only one I like. I can not stand Chauncers and that was all I could find Sat so I bought a bottle of that just so the others in my group could try mead for the first time. I am open to mead suggestions and locations I can try new ones!!
Glad to hear that you love (what I call) the golden nectar of the gods! :D (No Im not biased or anything ;) ) It IS only at the camp grounds this year unfortunately. But that shall not stop us from enjoying it's deliciousness, and with a wonderful price now too. Thorin's is a TRADITIONAL mead so, yes, it is much different, and not for everyone.
Strange: The Knightly is an English wildflower mead. It is not quite as sweet, in fact it is what we call the "semisweet." Some still find that too over powering. In fact I know a few people love to cut it half and half with white wine. If you will be back out I'd be more than happy to give you a sample if we run into each other! :)
Pros:
* cleaned up, rebuilt, repainted and refurbished stages and shops.
* campground upgrades and security presence
* new artisans in the Industrial Section
* New deck at the Sea Devil
* the Barbarian Inn
Cons:
* Gross over-commercialization seriously breaking the immersion
* The Brazilian restaurant. Not thrilled that the Art of Defense nook was bulldozed and replaced rather than refurbished, but the least they could've done was put a setting-appropriate restaurant there. Italian, German, hell, even Mediterranean would've been better than Brazilian, since Brazil was little more than a tiny sugar cane resource colony for Portugal until the 17th century and not exactly known for it's cuisine.
* The change in parade route with little forewarning. Bunch of us showed up at the PoW to watch the parade and got to listen to crickets chirp.
Does anyone know anything about the Art of Defense / Museum? I have heard both they tore it down and it is no more and that they moved it. It was one of the most haunted places there (although there are many ) and now I wonder if the Brazil place is having issues or if they moved the building did the ghosts go too lol
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 10, 2012, 11:26:34 AM
Does anyone know anything about the Art of Defense / Museum? I have heard both they tore it down and it is no more and that they moved it. It was one of the most haunted places there (although there are many ) and now I wonder if the Brazil place is having issues or if they moved the building did the ghosts go too lol
Husband and I went through the Museum on.. sunday? I believe. I'm -still- getting used to TRF's size, so I really can't give you clear directions as to where it is. But it's there... Now, the school of fighting I'm not too sure where that moved to.
and prolly a little of both. If I died/had some spiritual connection to any faire, and they plopped some not even remotely HA place with scantily clad women down where I chose to haunt, I'd act up a storm too.
Quote from: Breandan on October 10, 2012, 11:15:52 AM
Pros:
* cleaned up, rebuilt, repainted and refurbished stages and shops.
* campground upgrades and security presence
* new artisans in the Industrial Section
* New deck at the Sea Devil
* the Barbarian Inn
Cons:
* Gross over-commercialization seriously breaking the immersion
* The Brazilian restaurant. Not thrilled that the Art of Defense nook was bulldozed and replaced rather than refurbished, but the least they could've done was put a setting-appropriate restaurant there. Italian, German, hell, even Mediterranean would've been better than Brazilian, since Brazil was little more than a tiny sugar cane resource colony for Portugal until the 17th century and not exactly known for it's cuisine.
* The change in parade route with little forewarning. Bunch of us showed up at the PoW to watch the parade and got to listen to crickets chirp.
What he said! on the Brazilian restaurant, it seemed like a nice place, but I feel like it's signage, colors and entertainment are a little more anachronistic than usual there
Ditto on the Brazilian restaurant. I was actually quite excited about it and went on Sunday, but it wasn't REMOTELY fitting for faire. The music was modern Brazilian with whistles etc, not more traditional Brazilian and the same with the outfits and general ambiance. My main complaint is it really pulled me out of the 'magic' of faire and I just felt like I was at any regular restaurant. Kind of bummed me out for a while :-\
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 10, 2012, 11:26:34 AM
Does anyone know anything about the Art of Defense / Museum? I have heard both they tore it down and it is no more and that they moved it. It was one of the most haunted places there (although there are many ) and now I wonder if the Brazil place is having issues or if they moved the building did the ghosts go too lol
Not sure about the museum, but the School of Sword exibition is hidden back in Sherwood now
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 10, 2012, 11:26:34 AM
Does anyone know anything about the Art of Defense / Museum? I have heard both they tore it down and it is no more and that they moved it. It was one of the most haunted places there (although there are many ) and now I wonder if the Brazil place is having issues or if they moved the building did the ghosts go too lol
The museum has moved to the old Coppersage Bow location across from the coin mint, which is between the Odeon and the Arena.
Have any of you taken your wee ones to the Storytelling area? omg, delightful story time for the small ones! She was there last year but I missed it. Happened to drop by last weekend. Must take my granddaughter!
Brazilian restaurant the food was good but would perfer the show to be more period the modern show and music are just not what I go to faire to see.
The new band Vana Mazi was good
miss the school of Sword tournaments those were fun.
Quote from: Vixara on October 10, 2012, 08:58:10 AM
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 09, 2012, 01:53:56 PM
I only drink Thorin's because so far it has been the only one I like. I can not stand Chauncers and that was all I could find Sat so I bought a bottle of that just so the others in my group could try mead for the first time. I am open to mead suggestions and locations I can try new ones!!
Glad to hear that you love (what I call) the golden nectar of the gods! :D (No Im not biased or anything ;) ) It IS only at the camp grounds this year unfortunately. But that shall not stop us from enjoying it's deliciousness, and with a wonderful price now too. Thorin's is a TRADITIONAL mead so, yes, it is much different, and not for everyone.
Strange: The Knightly is an English wildflower mead. It is not quite as sweet, in fact it is what we call the "semisweet." Some still find that too over powering. In fact I know a few people love to cut it half and half with white wine. If you will be back out I'd be more than happy to give you a sample if we run into each other! :)
I realize that you have a bias, and in the interest of not turning this into an argument of preferences, I'll make this my last response re: Thorin and his "mead".
I've been making mead for around 10 years, and been drinking mead from some of the finest meaderies and homebrewers in the nation since well before that.
I know that everyone's tastes are different, and what I like will not always be what someone else likes.
However, I have never, in my own work or with anyone else's, known multiple people to get sick from a mead UNTIL they had Thorin's.
And my acquaintances are not the only ones. Why do you think it got pulled from most of the faire shops?
I get that Thorin thinks it is "traditional" to not filter his mead, but even unfiltered, a bottle should not have a half inch or more of lees in the bottom, or have liquid so opaque that light won't pass thru it.
Even the actual Vikings would not have had that much yeast in the mead they drank.
The mead for drinking was taken from the top of the pot, which left the yeast behind to make more mead.
I think the only thing that makes it worse is that Thorin can't claim it was a mistake due to being a new mazer.
He PAYS a contract winery to make it that way. I actually surprised that they agreed to produce something that could make people sick.
As I said, I might be willing to give the Knightly a try, since it doesn't look foul, but given Thorin's long running history of alcoholic mishaps, I don't have much faith that it will change my mind.
Feel free to respond or defend or whatever. Mods can kill it if they like. I have said my piece.
Favorite new thing
Stalking the Transylvanians - not new to faire, just new to me; I also highly recommend it.
Vana Mazi - not new to me, but it was nice to see familiar faces with Circa Paleo not around
What I did not like
No more combat arena or tournament
No Circa Paleo
(On a personal note) Not being able to be affectionate with my boyfriend whenever I like, because he's on cast, and his character is married. /end whining :P
*counting down the days till Sherwood*
Quote from: Strange on October 11, 2012, 10:23:14 AM
I get that Thorin thinks it is "traditional" to not filter his mead, but even unfiltered, a bottle should not have a half inch or more of lees in the bottom, or have liquid so opaque that light won't pass thru it.
Even the actual Vikings would not have had that much yeast in the mead they drank.
The mead for drinking was taken from the top of the pot, which left the yeast behind to make more mead.
I think the only thing that makes it worse is that Thorin can't claim it was a mistake due to being a new mazer.
He PAYS a contract winery to make it that way. I actually surprised that they agreed to produce something that could make people sick.
As I said, I might be willing to give the Knightly a try, since it doesn't look foul, but given Thorin's long running history of alcoholic mishaps, I don't have much faith that it will change my mind.
Feel free to respond or defend or whatever. Mods can kill it if they like. I have said my piece.
I am not really a mead drinker as I prefer wine. I wanted to try Thorin's; but I couldn't get past the fact that it looked more like dirty lake water than mead.
I do miss the original Purple Possum mead; beacause it was such a 'Faire' thing to drink occasionally.
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 09, 2012, 01:53:56 PM
I only drink Thorin's because so far it has been the only one I like. I can not stand Chauncers and that was all I could find Sat so I bought a bottle of that just so the others in my group could try mead for the first time. I am open to mead suggestions and locations I can try new ones!!
Chaucer's isn't a true meade. It's a mixture of white wine and mead (read the label). I previously liked Chuncers but Dunrathy better. Then I tried Thorin's.Never going back.
Favorite thing: The new deck at the Sea Devil w/ power outlets. (As I told Terre in the campground)
Worst thing: The distacne for handicapped parking from the campground. If you get up early and get the best spot on row 1, it is still close to a 100 yard journey (uphill) to the gate. Instead, I left the campground, entered general parking and was the first car next to the path, a distance of maybe 15 feet. So as a solution is all ready realized, this is not a problem but "Handicapped Camping Parking" is a bit misleading.
Quote from: Strange on October 11, 2012, 10:23:14 AM
Quote from: Vixara on October 10, 2012, 08:58:10 AM
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 09, 2012, 01:53:56 PM
I only drink Thorin's because so far it has been the only one I like. I can not stand Chauncers and that was all I could find Sat so I bought a bottle of that just so the others in my group could try mead for the first time. I am open to mead suggestions and locations I can try new ones!!
Glad to hear that you love (what I call) the golden nectar of the gods! :D (No Im not biased or anything ;) ) It IS only at the camp grounds this year unfortunately. But that shall not stop us from enjoying it's deliciousness, and with a wonderful price now too. Thorin's is a TRADITIONAL mead so, yes, it is much different, and not for everyone.
Strange: The Knightly is an English wildflower mead. It is not quite as sweet, in fact it is what we call the "semisweet." Some still find that too over powering. In fact I know a few people love to cut it half and half with white wine. If you will be back out I'd be more than happy to give you a sample if we run into each other! :)
I realize that you have a bias, and in the interest of not turning this into an argument of preferences, I'll make this my last response re: Thorin and his "mead".
I've been making mead for around 10 years, and been drinking mead from some of the finest meaderies and homebrewers in the nation since well before that.
I know that everyone's tastes are different, and what I like will not always be what someone else likes.
However, I have never, in my own work or with anyone else's, known multiple people to get sick from a mead UNTIL they had Thorin's.
And my acquaintances are not the only ones. Why do you think it got pulled from most of the faire shops?
I get that Thorin thinks it is "traditional" to not filter his mead, but even unfiltered, a bottle should not have a half inch or more of lees in the bottom, or have liquid so opaque that light won't pass thru it.
Even the actual Vikings would not have had that much yeast in the mead they drank.
The mead for drinking was taken from the top of the pot, which left the yeast behind to make more mead.
I think the only thing that makes it worse is that Thorin can't claim it was a mistake due to being a new mazer.
He PAYS a contract winery to make it that way. I actually surprised that they agreed to produce something that could make people sick.
As I said, I might be willing to give the Knightly a try, since it doesn't look foul, but given Thorin's long running history of alcoholic mishaps, I don't have much faith that it will change my mind.
Feel free to respond or defend or whatever. Mods can kill it if they like. I have said my piece.
Yes, yes I am biased. And I do understand that the mead, either flavor, is NOT for everyone. I cannot respond in regards to people getting sick from it, as this is the first I have ever heard about that..(apart from maybe someone drinking too much and just getting drunk) I personally love having some sedament in my drink, but I have also never encountered as much as you apparently have.
I will be back almost every day that remains apart from some work conflicts, but I do have a couple of bottles of Knightly, that I shall have with me for sampling. It IS much lighter, so if you are willing to give it a chance, I look forward to providing you with the opportunity. There will also be a third flavor in the coming months (I don't know about in time for TRF) that has been described as a semi-dry, so that may be more to your liking. If none of them are, well, then none of them are and that's just fine too!
Oh, and just for the record, Thorne does not pay a winery to make the mead for him. He pays the winery to use the space and equipment. The mead is made by him. Anda gain, I haven't heard of it making people sick, but then again I just started working with him last season, so I cannot really defend or agree upon that statement.
Quote from: KeeperoftheBar on October 15, 2012, 11:23:55 AM
Favorite thing: The new deck at the Sea Devil w/ power outlets. (As I told Terre in the campground)
Worst thing: The distacne for handicapped parking from the campground. If you get up early and get the best spot on row 1, it is still close to a 100 yard journey (uphill) to the gate. Instead, I left the campground, entered general parking and was the first car next to the path, a distance of maybe 15 feet. So as a solution is all ready realized, this is not a problem but "Handicapped Camping Parking" is a bit misleading.
I agree with you Keeper. We will have to do the same.
Quote from: Vixara on October 15, 2012, 02:46:52 PM
Yes, yes I am biased. And I do understand that the mead, either flavor, is NOT for everyone. I cannot respond in regards to people getting sick from it, as this is the first I have ever heard about that..(apart from maybe someone drinking too much and just getting drunk) I personally love having some sedament in my drink, but I have also never encountered as much as you apparently have.
I will be back almost every day that remains apart from some work conflicts, but I do have a couple of bottles of Knightly, that I shall have with me for sampling. It IS much lighter, so if you are willing to give it a chance, I look forward to providing you with the opportunity. There will also be a third flavor in the coming months (I don't know about in time for TRF) that has been described as a semi-dry, so that may be more to your liking. If none of them are, well, then none of them are and that's just fine too!
Oh, and just for the record, Thorne does not pay a winery to make the mead for him. He pays the winery to use the space and equipment. The mead is made by him. Anda gain, I haven't heard of it making people sick, but then again I just started working with him last season, so I cannot really defend or agree upon that statement.
I enjoy drinking Thorin's. But that is me. Never had an issue with it.
Did you know that there is a mead tasting each day at 5:00 p.m.? In addition to two daily wine tastings, I host this show as well. The Taverna di Vino is a wine shop owned by the Merchant Prince, who also owns The Sea Devil, Prince of Wales Pub, and the Feast Hall, and is located right across from the glassblower. We sample four meads (host choice, usually based on availability) and everyone takes home a lovely ceramic mead cup made in the same manner as the feast hall mug. The tickets are $20 a person and can be purchased at the shop the day of the show. It's a relaxing, low key, fun way to spend 45 minutes drinking mead, hearing some poetry, watching some magic, and unwinding. We would love to attract more audience to the show and grow our audience for seasons to come. After doing two wine tastings back to back right before this event, it is certainly a welcome way for me to wind down for the day. We've many meads from many countries (including Bunratty) and you might be surprised how very versatile mead is. I encourage you all to come give us a try and hopefully it will become one of your favorite new things at the festival! Here is a link for the wine tasting. For some reason, there is nothing for the mead tasting: http://texrenfest.com/entertainment/wine-tasting
Someone had asked about a pub sing, and indeed there is one, but it is not on the entertainment schedule. There is a pub sing outside of the Prince of Wales pub around 6:30 each evening. The Pride o' Bedlam, the Beefeaters, Jenny O'Manion, The Bard O'Neil are all in attendance and leading the fun. Other acts participate on occasion when they are available. You should check it out. It's always a fun time.
favorite thing- mead tasting!
Least favorite thing- Why is the faire open until 9PM? I miss the parade going by the Prince of Wales too!
Not like:
I just took a look at the main TRF website, texrenfest.com, for the first time in a few weeks. I notice on the top photo slides, showing the various themes, there is a "sponsored by" in the lower right hand of each photo. Never noticed this before, so I'm wondering when that showed up. Has it been there since the pix went up for 2012 and I just never saw it? (I do have a built-in brain turnoff-radar for advertising in general and might not have seen it before. Either that or my screen zoom was set too big for me to notice it on the side.) There has been the Sponsors box in the lower left for years.
The advertising spots on the front page combine with all the other in-your-face advertising going on with TRF now. It's gone past the unobtrusive sign telling us what beer is being served, or which cola, or who is paying for the website. :(
As for the white tent out front, it was an annoyance, but I have no idea what they were pushing. We were going to faire, not a supermarket parking lot.
For advertising to be effective, it has to get a person's attention, literally stop that person from seeing anything around the advertising for at least a split-second. In this instance, that anything is TRF itself. Somehow I do not think that was the intention of whoever made the decisions to increase non-Faire presence. ???
Polly, it's worse- there are "sponsored by" and corporate logo tags all over the signs throughout faire. Nothing breaks immersion faster than walking by a stage or location and seeing "Sponsored by Randalls" with the blue Randals logo plastered across it, for example. This I am NOT a fan of, and I heard a lot of 'dane patrons make displeased remarks about it ranging from the trite ("Huh, didn't know they had Randalls back in Ye Olde Medieval England") to the very critical ("What's next, tattooing ads onto my damned turkey leg? This is just ridiculous, its worse than Disney Land")
Note the examples I gave are what I overheard from regular (non-Playtron) patrons in less than five minutes standing next to the aforementioned sign. Corporate sponsorship may be a necessity, but at LEAST try to make it fit in with the feel of faire. I point you to the old beer ads and sponsorship logos that were done in a renaissance style twenty years ago or so. Otherwise, no one- from the ED to George himself- has any legitimacy griping about breaking immersion when they themselves are the most egregious perpetrators of such.
Breandan, I was at Faire opening weekend.
I truly am one of those people who has learned to almost completely ignore the advertising. Don't know if rest of family noticed or not.
When I actually become aware, it's usually way past the point of annoyance or anger on the part of other people so I know this is really getting to people.
Hopefully TRF management is getting an earful on this issue.
Quote from: Queen Bonnie on October 16, 2012, 08:03:25 AM
favorite thing- mead tasting!
Least favorite thing- Why is the faire open until 9PM? I miss the parade going by the Prince of Wales too!
Yea Bonnie! I am so glad you had a good time with us. We really want to promote the mead tasting and we are working, literally this minute, to produce a show that will be gratifying for everyone.
That's it, I'm starting a new mead thread.
Huzzah! Good to let all know about it! It was fun and a bargain! The mead cup was nice too!
I actually signed up to win the car on my way out. I know, I know, I'm blaming the beer!
Here's what the car thing is about; Right after you sign up they give you a pitch about vacation rentals, then about a week later you get a letter telling you you've won a prize that you need to go to their property in Conroe to collect. If you ignore the letter they are kind enough to remind you by ringing your cell phone,(I know, beer again ::)) twice a day, every day, till you set up an appointment.
So be sure and avoid ye olde timeshare scam on your way in or out!
Quote from: Zardoz on October 20, 2012, 12:30:47 AM
I actually signed up to win the car on my way out. I know, I know, I'm blaming the beer!
Here's what the car thing is about; Right after you sign up they give you a pitch about vacation rentals, then about a week later you get a letter telling you you've won a prize that you need to go to their property in Conroe to collect. If you ignore the letter they are kind enough to remind you by ringing your cell phone,(I know, beer again ::)) twice a day, every day, till you set up an appointment.
So be sure and avoid ye olde timeshare scam on your way in or out!
Question for you, Zardoz. Did you notice anything on the sign-up paper, signs, anything at all to indicate it was a time-share solicitation?
Edited: Never mind. I did some Googling and found that this is a time-share solicitation, with info in small print on back of the entry card filled out.
People are questioning the contest on the TRF FB page.
Edit Oct 23, 2012: Management has posted that the car drawing in December will go to an entrant who is a TRF fan, indicating that the drawing itself is just for entries submitted at TRF.
Quote from: Zardoz on October 20, 2012, 12:30:47 AM
I actually signed up to win the car on my way out. I know, I know, I'm blaming the beer!
Here's what the car thing is about; Right after you sign up they give you a pitch about vacation rentals, then about a week later you get a letter telling you you've won a prize that you need to go to their property in Conroe to collect. If you ignore the letter they are kind enough to remind you by ringing your cell phone,(I know, beer again ::)) twice a day, every day, till you set up an appointment.
So be sure and avoid ye olde timeshare scam on your way in or out!
Try playing them right back. Agree to show up for meeting but you cant afford to go over there could they comp you a free room and a $50 gift card for you gas. You would be surprised how often it works, just pay attention to when they tell you how long the sales pitch is and dont let them convince you to sit there longer and wait. When you hit that point just say nah im not buying have a good day and get up and leave.
Quote from: gaerdon on October 20, 2012, 02:01:13 PM
Quote from: Zardoz on October 20, 2012, 12:30:47 AM
I actually signed up to win the car on my way out. I know, I know, I'm blaming the beer!
Here's what the car thing is about; Right after you sign up they give you a pitch about vacation rentals, then about a week later you get a letter telling you you've won a prize that you need to go to their property in Conroe to collect. If you ignore the letter they are kind enough to remind you by ringing your cell phone,(I know, beer again ::)) twice a day, every day, till you set up an appointment.
So be sure and avoid ye olde timeshare scam on your way in or out!
Try playing them right back. Agree to show up for meeting but you cant afford to go over there could they comp you a free room and a $50 gift card for you gas. You would be surprised how often it works, just pay attention to when they tell you how long the sales pitch is and dont let them convince you to sit there longer and wait. When you hit that point just say nah im not buying have a good day and get up and leave.
I started to play with them years back, but when setting appointment on phone they askd about income (you know, $10,000 to $20,000; $20,000 to xxxxx). I gave them a figure below $20,000 - voila, sorry, you do not qualify. So, not only is the contest limited to people who can make it to the sales pitch, it is limited to people with a certain amount of income (I'm guessing you have to be able to afford the time-share or whatever they are selling).
Quote from: PollyPoPo on October 20, 2012, 09:34:46 AM
Quote from: Zardoz on October 20, 2012, 12:30:47 AM
I actually signed up to win the car on my way out. I know, I know, I'm blaming the beer!
Here's what the car thing is about; Right after you sign up they give you a pitch about vacation rentals, then about a week later you get a letter telling you you've won a prize that you need to go to their property in Conroe to collect. If you ignore the letter they are kind enough to remind you by ringing your cell phone,(I know, beer again ::)) twice a day, every day, till you set up an appointment.
So be sure and avoid ye olde timeshare scam on your way in or out!
Question for you, Zardoz. Did you notice anything on the sign-up paper, signs, anything at all to indicate it was a time-share solicitation?
Edited: Never mind. I did some Googling and found that this is a time-share solicitation, with info in small print on back of the entry card filled out.
People are questioning the contest on the TRF FB page.
According to management, "The Texas Renaissance Festival No, no scam! We are giving away that Fiat 500! I am not sure if that is what you won...but the contest is legit.
~The King" as was posted on the TRF FB page. Sounds like a car will be given away to someone entering contest there. Might come back to bite 'em.
Unfortunately, the contest has an association with AVC Travel aka Silverleaf Resorts, Inc. which has a history of complaints to BBB and multiple web sites.
Personally, I find it a questionable association for TRF.
No I did not notice anything obvious to indicate it was a time-share scam. The guy produced a flyer about it after I turned in the form. As far as the Fiat 500, interestingly, it was never mentioned in the letter or phone conversation I had with the Dallas call center, the pitch is for $49000 cash, or a new Mercedes, BMW, or Porsche . Or a $1500 shopping spree, or a $806 value 5-Day/4 night 'Island Adventure' (which based on their flyer likely means Galveston) Based on prior encounters with these guys,if you actually 'win' any of this stuff it's gonna be the 'Island Adventure'.
Edit Oct 23, 2012: Management has posted that the car drawing in December will go to an entrant who is a TRF fan, indicating that the drawing itself is just for entries submitted at TRF.
I got to catch the Brazilian show on Sunday. The dancers are very pretty, and yes they can ummmmm dance. But I am SOOOOOOO disappointed!!!! TRF had a chance to make a really great new place and instead did this.
My friend looked at me and asked are we in little Brazil or the Brazilian hood? THAT WAS DUBSTEP! I am a DJ, have been for 10 years and that was club music! Can't believe this is Ren Fest.
I would have enjoyed a Viking pub or something more themed to that time frame.
TRF will forever be in my heart, and I have so many faire friends...but I am really looking forward to a faire that is not sooooo MODERN.....
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 22, 2012, 09:49:10 AM
I got to catch the Brazilian show on Sunday. The dancers are very pretty, and yes they can ummmmm dance. But I am SOOOOOOO disappointed!!!! TRF had a chance to make a really great new place and instead did this.
My friend looked at me and asked are we in little Brazil or the Brazilian hood? THAT WAS DUBSTEP! I am a DJ, have been for 10 years and that was club music! Can't believe this is Ren Fest.
I would have enjoyed a Viking pub or something more themed to that time frame.
TRF will forever be in my heart, and I have so many faire friends...but I am really looking forward to a faire that is not sooooo MODERN.....
Sherwood.
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 22, 2012, 09:49:10 AM
I got to catch the Brazilian show on Sunday. The dancers are very pretty, and yes they can ummmmm dance. But I am SOOOOOOO disappointed!!!! TRF had a chance to make a really great new place and instead did this.
My friend looked at me and asked are we in little Brazil or the Brazilian hood? THAT WAS DUBSTEP! I am a DJ, have been for 10 years and that was club music! Can't believe this is Ren Fest.
I would have enjoyed a Viking pub or something more themed to that time frame.
TRF will forever be in my heart, and I have so many faire friends...but I am really looking forward to a faire that is not sooooo MODERN.....
Agreed!
They've stopped people from marching in parade because of glasses or no head covering, but allow modern Brazilian dancers and music? They give shop owners a tough time if employees show tattoos or don't speak the king's english, but allow dubstep dancing? Whoever owns that restaurant must have some real pull with Terre or George. And remember to nt just make complaints here, flood their official inboxes to get attention.
They could have just moved the Shunyata dancers over there.
I am going to get a ton of photos of the immersion-breaking stuff they have added in, and see if I can get some polls going so that the Powers That Be, get it through their thick skulls (made thicker by all of the butt-kissing they get on Facebook) that they really ARE screwing up with some of their "improvements". If they listen and remedy it, YAY! If not, meh, they're neither the only faire in Texas nor are they the cheapest, plenty of other places to spend our money at.
Favorite:
Deck at the sea devil. I have found a perch and will be using it every weekend. I also LOVE that some of the proclamations are being held at the Globe... I think it attracts more of the audience the performers deserve to have and their dances aren't lost in the dark.
Least Favorite:
This isn't a in the gates thing as much of an advertising thing , but WHO THE HECK makes all the posts for the Facebook? They should be fired. I am not a grammar nazi by any stretch of the imagination, but I would think the people put in charge of marketing the faire through the LARGEST social networking site could at least string a coherent sentence together. They also need to learn the difference between The King's English and Broken Redneck. Education, revision and a little bit of care would go miles. The marketing team is the last place to house your honey badgers.
Brazilian Restaurant- While I have heard the food is great and the girls are definitely pretty and can DANCE.... it is just not period. I have a certain level of suspension of disbelief, but I walk in there and I am transported completely away from the festival. I say you want to do something awesome with dancing Latin women.... Think Aztecs, sacrifices and all that. I'd love to see girls in tribal feathers, doing the same dances, sliding through a huge sacrificial volcano just to walk out of a door in the bottom to start their dances. If you are going to drop the cash on a restaurant like that, make it more tribal than carnival, same girls, same dances, same food, same beauty, more period.
We visited the upstairs area of the Barbarian Inn since we were kid free. It was fun and I hope things pick up there.
We also visited and dined at the Brazilian place:
While the food was decent and the show was good I am not sure I will go out of my way to go there again. It was kind of odd, like we had stepped out of an elevator and each floor was a time warp....faire, not so much faire and then faire again. I agree with Fae, if the ladies were less Carnival and more in line with the period of faire as far as tribal styles/natural color feathers, etc., it would blend better with the faire experience, even with modern music. Hubby liked the ladies apparel lol! ;)
Oh and more fans or redirection of the fans is needed in the full service dining area. It was very hot and made eating there a bit unpleasant.
The new deck at the Sea Devil is great! We really are enjoying that.
Loving the little things I am seeing, the new tree rings, spruced up areas and so on.
Re: Brazilian restaurant
We very much enjoyed the food, but, yes, it was a time-warp feeling.
Still, I like the idea of sitting down for one meal a weekend to be served. Price was high, but not unexceptional for the setting. We always figure a 25%-50% increase over a restaurant in town.
Saw the dance girls (it was cold, opening weekend Sunday, but the girls were in their dance attire) at the doorway, waving to people, but we did not get to see the show, although we were there about two hours in the dining area.
But, for now, that will be a must-do for our family members when they are at TRF.
Quote from: PollyPoPo on October 22, 2012, 10:02:31 AM
Quote from: Autumn Blaize on October 22, 2012, 09:49:10 AM
I got to catch the Brazilian show on Sunday. The dancers are very pretty, and yes they can ummmmm dance. But I am SOOOOOOO disappointed!!!! TRF had a chance to make a really great new place and instead did this.
My friend looked at me and asked are we in little Brazil or the Brazilian hood? THAT WAS DUBSTEP! I am a DJ, have been for 10 years and that was club music! Can't believe this is Ren Fest.
I would have enjoyed a Viking pub or something more themed to that time frame.
TRF will forever be in my heart, and I have so many faire friends...but I am really looking forward to a faire that is not sooooo MODERN.....
Sherwood.
We have already made plans and have started saving! Will be their this year!
I like the cast proclamations at the Globe at noon and 6 pm. The lighting and sound add to the show! Am not convinced patrons passing by understood what was going on though.
The Health to the Company song ending is touching as is the procession to firwirks with bagpipes and drums. Nice way to close down a fun day!
I love the new parade route. I feel so special each time it processes down Mockingbird Lane.
For some reason, I can not STAND the shiny chrome clothes racks with plastic hangers pushed out on the sidewalk where I can not avoid seeing them.
It would be very inexpensive to cut strips of burlap to cover them.
I think a lot of people don't have a problem with the new parade route so much as the surprise they got Opening when it never came by PoW :)
Yes, that would be a shock!
Quote from: mrsmccunn on October 22, 2012, 08:57:42 PM
I like the cast proclamations at the Globe at noon and 6 pm. The lighting and sound add to the show! Am not convinced patrons passing by understood what was going on though.
The Health to the Company song ending is touching as is the procession to firwirks with bagpipes and drums. Nice way to close down a fun day!
The new thing that I liked on my visit last Saturday is the New Globe Theatre - it looks good and it has a fairly large stage and a nice balcony for the performers.
However, I have conflicting emotions about the Evening Proclamation being held there...
What I liked -
1) The shape of the stage and the PA System helps the performers to be heard.
2) The four lights at the front of the stage helps some of the performers to be seen.
3) There are benches to sit on, which are nice after walking around all day.
What I didn't care for -
1) As a photographer, I preferred being able to move freely around the circular area where the Proclamations used to be held. At the Globe, the side-walls of the stage limit the angles of photography by about 50%, and with people sitting on benches all across the front, it makes it hard to move around and get a good angle for photographs. Trying to stand up on a bench at the back can end up with the view being blocked by the arbor of vines over the seating area.
2) Having the Evening Proclamation up near the Front Gate, in that area where other performers
don't perform, seemed like it had more attention drawn to it as a "
Special Event" and people could see it no matter which lane they were coming up on their way to the gate. Since the Globe has other performers there all day, the Proclamation may not stand out as a "
Special Event."
3) The stage of the Globe is smaller than the area where the Proclamations used to be held, which limits the dancing. The groups have to be "tightly" choreographed, making it hard to see past the two or three couples across the front, and it also makes it harder to isolate and photograph the dancers (since they're crowded together).
Take Care,
David Baldock
I had a drink at the New Brazilian place. The dancers were beautiful and entertaining- but so out of place at TRF. The place looks like the Rainforest cafe in Galveston. It was a strange experience.Perhaps better to keep with the faire theme?I feel a bit of the magick being sucked away. :(
I didn't try the Brazilian place when I visited TRF, and I agree that it does seem a bit out of place. But then I got thinking, what sort of food could they offer that was not served elsewhere or that wouldn't steal customers away from established food vendors?
Frankly, I can not think of anything so I will accept the premise of a Brazilian themed restaurant and rejoice that new venues are being explored.
I'll ask this with an open mind considering my favorite food in the entire world is Tex Mex. What kind of food is actually on the menu within the restaurant? Is it true Brazilian food which makes me personally think of "Americas" or another restaurant which name escapes me that was downtown Houston when I worked for Arthur Andersen? Is it more like the other food in the Spanish area except for it being sit down? Is it more Tex Mex like any limitless number of restaurants in the Houston area? I am a bit picky with what I eat so would appreciate clarification before deciding to try it myself...
I thought I'd throw in my two pence as a first-timer to TRF. :)
My sister and I visited for the first time ever on 1001 Dreams weekend (go figure!) and we had an absolute blast! I loved the grounds and look of the shops. Aesthetically, the faire is very appealing! I also found -everyone-, from shop owners to food vendors to other patrons, to be very friendly and approachable. I made several new friends in that weekend alone! It also seemed to me that there were fewer obnoxious drunk people than I've seen at other faires. I had been warned that TRF wasn't very family friendly, but honestly, I didn't see anything that would have offended me if my son had been with me and, in fact, I'm going to be taking him for his first visit on Celtic Christmas weekend.
As a pescetarian, food choices can be slim for me at faires. ;) Boy, was I excited to find coconut shrimp, which was delicious, and really good fish and chips at the Prince of Wales pub. Again, service was great wherever I went.
The white tent out front was a distraction, I admit. Fortunately, I have a knack for sneaking past the people who want me to sign up for contests, take surveys, etc., so once I was past it, it was forgotten. The advertisements inside the grounds didn't go unnoticed, but I'm able to tune that stuff out pretty efficiently, so it wasn't too much of a bother.
For the dislikes, there aren't many...
I did not visit the Brazilian place, but I did find it to be very out of place and garish to the point where I didn't want to visit it. Like others have said, maybe a more tribal influence would do more for it.
I didn't like some of the aggressive vendors at some of the shops. It just makes me very uncomfortable and will guarantee that I won't buy anything from you. I don't mind a non-physical nudge, that's to be expected, but don't bully me into coming into your shop.
Finally, I was not impressed at all with the jousting/games. To be fair, I didn't stay for all of it because I lost interest, and maybe I'm biased because I enjoy competitive jousting tournaments, so I can only comment on what I did see. Visually, the knights and horses were lovely, the ladies in attendance were lovely, but the action was weak. It just was too hokey for me. :(
Anyhow, I think that about covers it. The things I liked about it were wonderful and the dislikes won't keep me from adding it to my yearly faire rotation. :)
Quote from: Chris B on October 24, 2012, 10:49:43 AM
I'll ask this with an open mind considering my favorite food in the entire world is Tex Mex. What kind of food is actually on the menu within the restaurant? Is it true Brazilian food which makes me personally think of "Americas" or another restaurant which name escapes me that was downtown Houston when I worked for Arthur Andersen? Is it more like the other food in the Spanish area except for it being sit down? Is it more Tex Mex like any limitless number of restaurants in the Houston area? I am a bit picky with what I eat so would appreciate clarification before deciding to try it myself...
I am not familiar with actual Brazilian food so cannot reply on that. The restaurant does have a Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/HaciendaSanJorgeAtTheTexasRenaissanceFestival
There is a link to their menu there.
On the day we were there they had a special of veal shank, with asparagus, and yucca cake that looked much like mashed potatoes, but had a slightly different, yet delightful, taste.
One member of our group had the salad both Saturday and Sunday. The menu has some Tex-Mex, so our picky 10 year old could find something he could recognize before ordering. We kind of share everything and found that meals were of sufficient size that we would order perhaps 3 meals and a salad for five people.
Several of our group went back later in the day for the desserts.
Thanks. I will check it out.
This was my first time at TRF, so I can only comment on my overall likes and dislikes:
LIKES:
Cast: The cast was amazing. It was HOT last weekend. At times it was MISERABLY HOT. As far as I could see, never did the cast ever seem hot, or bothered, or annoyed. Everywhere I looked, there was a cast member interacting with patrons. At one point, I stumbled upon the Queen and her fool in the middle of a conversation. I was so excited to see her for the first time, that I interrupted their conversation to beg for a photo. Both of them acted as if they were only having a conversation because they were waiting for me. The French King and one of his men stopped my husband and gave him a good thrashing for not holding my hand, and we ended up having a fun, bawdy conversation with them. There were many more fun encounters throughout the day, and the cast was always gracious and amazing.
Prices: I'm sure there will always be people who complain about the prices of a festival, but I thought that the prices of both the food/drink stalls and the shops were for the most part reasonable. I think one of the reasons one can end up spending so much (and we did) is because there is SO MUCH to spend money on.
Food: Great. Delicious. Excellent. Heavenly. Queens Pantry and Pavilion were my favorites, but everything we ate and drank was amazing.
Grounds: Everything was clean, always. I never once saw trash on the ground. The bathrooms were awesome. The landscape was truly breathtaking.
Seating: I have bad feet, and can't walk for very long periods of time. I was not sure if I was going to be able to handle the giant festival, but was determined to try. There was never a time, no matter where we were, that an empty seat was not a few feet away, in the shade. This allowed me to be able to walk the entire festival over the weekend, and we hit a few areas more than once.
DISLIKES:
Car Giveaway: I thought it took away from the entire look of the front. At night, during the mass exodus, the entire tent made everything even more chaotic.
Brazilian Restaurant: The outside was a little loud, but I didn't mind it so much. We went inside to see the dancers. The music was almost shocking. It might as well have been a blend of country/western and rap. It was so out of place. We didn't stay long.