Rating TRF

[Merlin]

I just returned from 2 days at TRF and would like to share my opinion.
Overall rating for this fair on a 1-10 scale would be a 9 ... (there is never a 10 given on a 1-10 scale by me because of the possibility of finding something better another day and not being able to score it higher than the limits of the 1-10)

The area was beautiful and CLEAN! The bathrooms... unbelievably CLEAN. Every time I went in a privy ...the was SOAP and PAPER TOWELS. This seems like it would, or should be a given. However this is not always the case in other ren faires I've attended.

The grounds were CLEAN! I saw so many worked picking up trash and making sure the place was kept neat. Every booth was swept out and clean. (I'm saying "clean: a lot...aren't I?)
Prices: Is it just me or are the vendor prices at TRF way more reasonable than other faires. I know the competition is a LOT greater at TRF than some faires.... You can actually stand at the front of one specialty shop and see their competition 100 feet away so that may be why the prices were a lot better than I've seen at other faires.
Topography: NO BIG ROCKS! Outstanding! Even as much as it rained on Sunday...the place drained well...dried up and there are cobblestone sidewalks. What a novel idea! (Are ya listening to any of this Scarborough?)
FOOD: Thanks a lot TRF! I gained 5 pounds in 2 days and almost vomited from overeating. Every time I got something...I saw someone eating something that looked better.... Sooooo a couple hours later I would get it. Unreal good food!
CLOSING CEREMONY: Words can't describe it.... If you have never stayed until they make you leave... you need to at least once.
So happy we ran into many of the regulars there.... had an awesome time ! ! TRF ROCKS!

Now for the bad stuff....and there aint much.

This is really not controllable.... but there seemed to be more drunken mundanes at TRF than most other faires I've attended. Not really a complaint about security... and like I said... really nothing that management could do about it...just an observation. Few were really out of control and I have a very high level of tolerance for idiots.... Just seemed to take away from some of the performances by the great talent at TRF when drunken college age guys still think it's funny to yell "Show us your tits!" during a performance. They did quiet down a bit when one of them yelled at TARTANIC "What's under your kilt?" and I replied "Your mom's lipstick."

Now this IS controllable.... a couple of lane performers need to be instructed that touching, grabbing, placing hands on in any manner of a mundane, playtron, paytron, rennie...WHOEVER... is not appropriate. There was a group who stood in the middle of a lane and grabbed girls who walked by...including my wife...and attempted to drag them into their show...which was horrible and obnoxious. I love participating in acts but when you are trying to make it across the grounds to catch a show about to start...having a 10 year old grab your wife and say "I'm taking the lady...you go away" is not a good way to earn tips. Just sayin!

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Damn... I missed you being here!  

[scarletnyx]

Pretty much agree with all of this. I will add something to your last comment about a pushy lane entertainer.

I understand that booth rental is... Pretty high at TRF. But really, do you have to come back into the dressing room every 2 or so minutes and barrage me with " Are you ok?" or something to that effect. I got so frustrated I just left in the middle of trying stuff on ( which can kinda take me awhile, did you not see my layers when I walked in? ), and I got the feeling that the person running the booth was.. chilled towards me after that. I later felt bad, and felt I should have spent more time in that shop... But I was honestly somewhat put off by their "rushing".

Also what made me feel kinda bad was when I came out my husband was sitting there with the camera to take pictures of how I looked, and I let him down ( I felt anyway ).

so its not just in the lanes, I assure you.

[Merlin the Elder]

If someone laid a hand on either my wife or myself, there would be ... repercussions.

[Lishy]

I can add to the tales on that as well. Saturday while walking the lanes with my mother, an obnoxious little boy would not stop trying to get me into the safer swords arena. He was rude, and when Id finally had enough and walked away, he HIT me with one of those stupid things, twice. Yes, granted, they are lightweight and probably couldnt do much harm, but for someone with arthritis and chronic pain issues- I was NOT amused. I gave him my best evil Mom stare and told him he should be well pleased my husband was not about, for he would have turned him over his knee and shown him what respect is about. I don't think it is EVER right to put your hands on a complete stranger unless asked, or in an emergency.

Also, while watching the closing show that same evening, one of the male vendors with the annoying lights and glow sticks actually used the term "annoying douchebag" to my mom and I while hawking! I know TRF doesnt have complete control over their vendor's actions, but it almost sounds like a newsletter needs to circulate again pertaining to proper hawking etiquette, or at least some Dos and Donts.

[mrsmccunn]

I must admit some of the aggressive hawkers actually deter me from entering shops I might otherwise visit! I am used to the scenario, but grow weary of the hard sell all the time! Sometimes I like to just stroll the paths and enjoy the views w/o someone hollering at me!

[Fenster]

Hawkers need to understand how to be funny and informative without being annoying and overly aggressive.

If someone is obviously not paying attention let them go and focus on the next potential sale.  Not everyone is going to stop in every shop they pass.

[Gauwyn of Bracknell]

If someone laid a hand on either my wife or myself, there would be ... repercussions.

Is that some kind of 'magical' concussion thing??  Like a concussion that keeps on giving?

[Breandan]

Back in the day, when I ran with the barbarians (this was 22 years ago), we would occassionally find an attractive woman, surround her, make barbaric comments ("Hah! Good child-bearing hips! Make good zug-zug!"), and occassionally carry them off on our shoulders while amused husbands filmed it. That being said, we were a street act, things were different back then, and we never did it to a woman that looked like she was uncomfortable with it (most were giggling). Hawkers grabbing people... not kosher.

As for how I would rate TRF, I'd say its better this year than the last few in many ways, but still ranks 6/10 for me. A MAJOR blow to their ranking in my eyes is the gross overcommercialization and blatant immersion-breaking ads and sponsorship logos all over Hel's creation. However, considering that the last few years it barely made 4/10 in my eyes- as compared to the other ren faires in Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, Georgia, Louisiana, and Washington- they would have gotten an 8/10 were it not for that. Since this is a single issue that has been voiced by others, it is fixable and things may well be different by next year.

[KiltedPrivateer]

To steal from the "Pirate Comedy Show", Welcome to Grand Scale Renaissance and Fantasy Faire (o:

[mrsmccunn]

I rate TRF 9/10

I go with an open mind and heart enjoying the gifts of each day. I love the gardens, the cast, the atmosphere, the music, the fireworks...... Am not usually there to shop, just to admire the artistry. I have seen the shows so come and go as I please to each through the season. I don't expect gourmet food from a vendor, nor even a cheap price.

After all, we are all just dressing up and playing in an old Texas strip mine! LOL! It is the playing that makes it fun! I appreciate the playground for what it is.

I am not there for immersion into the 16th century. I happen to like cold beer and real bathrooms, paved sidewalks and drainage ...... shaded pavillions, etc

I believe if one looks for things to bug them, things will be found.....

However I do detest people getting in front of my camera..... GRRRR! That irritates me! That is not TRF's problem though. Wish I was tall like Valt!

[PollyPoPo]

I rate TRF 9/10 ...
However I do detest people getting in front of my camera..... GRRRR! That irritates me! That is not TRF's problem though. Wish I was tall like Valt!

That's funny .  I do my best not to walk in front of a pointed camera (sometimes hard not to, there are so many); however, every so often I try and the person moves with me.  That's when I stop to ask if they are trying to get me in the shot; yep, often they are.  I can tell you there are a few Japanese mothers who will never let their college age daughters come to America again after seeing picture of the crazy-looking old lady their girls ran into here!

[Merlin the Elder]

Valid point, Polly. I have realized I was stepping into frame simply because there were so many people around! You can try to be aware, but you have to have the vision of the Google camera vehicle--360 degrees.

I used to ignore people who were aiming their camera at me, thinking I might be considered arrogant like what's-his-face in Harry Potter. Now, if I think someone is trying to get a shot, I'll stop and just kind of gaze around nonchalantly. If they are shooting me, they get their shot. If they aren't, well let's just say I don't appear quite the fool.

In all fairness, MrsMcCunn, you just have to live with it. You can't stop a faire...

[mrsmccunn]

oh Merlin, I do live with it and even laugh sometimes because it just happens! Hoorah for digital and the ability to dump 50 shots for a few good ones!

[Merlin the Elder]

Yeah...don't you just love the ones that get about half way through your field of vision, look and see you framing the picture, and they stop, then slowly back out of the picture...