Tips for first timers?

[James Wraith]

Greetings all. The girlfriend and I will be making the trip down to camp and enjoy the Pirate weekend (Nov. 1-3). This will be our first time at TRF (it'll be a fun drive from Chicago) and our last Faire of the season.

Any tips for setting up camp?
Are decent spots usually open mid season? We'll hopefully be arriving Friday afternoon. I know clans who stay all season take priority and we wouldn't want to step on any toes.
What things should we make sure to do/see while at the faire?
If we choose to go out to eat in town or something Friday afternoon or night, is it easy to get out/re-enter while camping, and any recommendations?

We're very much looking forward to this trip. Hope to meet a few of you there!

[<Alex>]

  In regards to camping...

1)  The most crowded weekends are Opening, All Hallow's Eve, and Celtic Christmas. 

2)  Most people start arriving later on Friday afternoon, after work/school.

3)  It's first come first serve, and while clans don't have "priority", they are usually pretty good about getting people out early (Thursday afternoon/night) to stake out sites.  Some have tent poles already set up.  Feel free to ask people already out there where it's okay to set up- to avoid uneeded conflict if anything.  Our clan had fewer than expected attendees one weekend, and we were more than happy to accomodate others who needed the space. 

4)  In the event of heavy rain, it's best to avoid the lower areas to avoid flooding.  Hard to make them out when it isn't actively raining, though.

5)  Getting in and out is easy.  You get a tag for your rear view mirror when you enter.  Just drive out and drive back in as you see fit.  If there's a line of people signing in, if they can see you already have a tag, they'll just flag you in through another lane.

6)  There's a large bonfire across from the Kwik-E-Mart/Food Stand.  The whole area gets more traffic.  The further you camp away from that area, the less people you'll have wandering by your camp.

Regarding eating out...

  Todd Mission/Plantersville have a couple local places to eat- mostly catering to people passing through.  The gas station has your usual gas station fare: pizza, hotdogs, fried chicken, etc. The next closest town is Navasota, which has a couple BBQ places, McDonalds, Pizza Hutt, etc.

  A lot of people cook out on Friday night.  I'm not suggesting you just mooch off the neighbors, but if you're out socializing, getting along well, and they have more food than they can eat, don't be surprised if you get offered some.

  Hope that helps.


...

   Feel free to look around for a clan to camp with.   When the wife and I decided to camp out for the first time, we stayed with Phoenix Risen.  Camping as a group was way more fun than camping alone. We learned a ton, met lots of people, made lots of new friends, and had a great time.  A year later, and we're memers of the clan and honored with the task of overseeing the camp site for TRF for the 2013 season.

  While *I* won't be out there Pirate Weekend, Phoenix Risen is always looking for company/potential members. If you'd like, you can camp with us.

[James Wraith]

That is exactly the kind of post I was hoping for, and the reason I've fallen in love with this culture.  Shame a kind soul like yourself won't be out there, but we'll try to remember to put in a good word with the clan for you .

I think our main issue will be the socializing. We're both still a little awkward (still getting used to the open culture of faire) and being 1000+ miles from home won't help. From what you posted, and from what I've read though I think we might just find a niche, and have to return next year. Provided the drive isn't absolutely terrible that is .

[SirRichardBear]

There are lots of great shows at TRF done are bad here are my favorite never miss shows.  Iris and Rose , Arthur Greenstreet Holmes dirt poetry,  Cast in Bronze, Tartaric,  Wine and Alchemy,  Sound and Fury, Tournament of Swords, Gypsy dancers, Sholo the Nubian, Falcon birds of prey show.  Pirate show at the Sea Devil while the bar has gone down hill the entertainment is still great.  Last the fire works show and the fire whip show before hand.   While the fire works are worth waiting for it does get very dark and there are no lights in camp so make sure you remember were you are camped and take a small flash with you to help find your way back.    There is now a shower room $5 for 15 minutes IIRC but its at the entrance and a you really don't want to walk there so make sure you car doesn't get blocked in.  Its also not a good idea to camp to close to the port-a-johns, as they get lots of traffic late and early in the morning.  Swim shoes or something easy to slip on and off to make runs to the port-a-johns are a necessary believe me you do not want to use them bare footed or just in socks.    The first part of the camp grounds are quite i.e. no noise after 10pm or before 8am IIRC not many camp there. 

TRF is really to big to see in a single weekend.  Hope you have a good time maybe we'll see you some other year I'll Put in a word for Highland weekend as that is when the regiment invades and a couple hundred Celts in Kilts is something else.

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

If you are looking for pure insanity, come on down AHE, next year... it'll be the 40th Anniversary of TRF and All Hallows is when the freaks come out of the woodwork... 

[maeven]

I think our main issue will be the socializing. We're both still a little awkward (still getting used to the open culture of faire) and being 1000+ miles from home won't help. From what you posted, and from what I've read though I think we might just find a niche, and have to return next year. Provided the drive isn't absolutely terrible that is .

I know the feeling. My husband and I are introverts for the most part, but once you get to talking to a couple of people, you'll feel welcome. It'll come naturally, especially if they know you're new; a lot of people will want to get to know you, which is a good thing. You'll have a great time

[Eccelius]

  In regards to camping...

1)  The most crowded weekends are Opening, All Hallow's Eve, and Celtic Christmas. 

2)  Most people start arriving later on Friday afternoon, after work/school.

3)  It's first come first serve, and while clans don't have "priority", they are usually pretty good about getting people out early (Thursday afternoon/night) to stake out sites.  Some have tent poles already set up.  Feel free to ask people already out there where it's okay to set up- to avoid uneeded conflict if anything.  Our clan had fewer than expected attendees one weekend, and we were more than happy to accomodate others who needed the space. 

4)  In the event of heavy rain, it's best to avoid the lower areas to avoid flooding.  Hard to make them out when it isn't actively raining, though.

5)  Getting in and out is easy.  You get a tag for your rear view mirror when you enter.  Just drive out and drive back in as you see fit.  If there's a line of people signing in, if they can see you already have a tag, they'll just flag you in through another lane.

6)  There's a large bonfire across from the Kwik-E-Mart/Food Stand.  The whole area gets more traffic.  The further you camp away from that area, the less people you'll have wandering by your camp.

Regarding eating out...

  Todd Mission/Plantersville have a couple local places to eat- mostly catering to people passing through.  The gas station has your usual gas station fare: pizza, hotdogs, fried chicken, etc. The next closest town is Navasota, which has a couple BBQ places, McDonalds, Pizza Hutt, etc.

  A lot of people cook out on Friday night.  I'm not suggesting you just mooch off the neighbors, but if you're out socializing, getting along well, and they have more food than they can eat, don't be surprised if you get offered some.

  Hope that helps.


...

   Feel free to look around for a clan to camp with.   When the wife and I decided to camp out for the first time, we stayed with Phoenix Risen.  Camping as a group was way more fun than camping alone. We learned a ton, met lots of people, made lots of new friends, and had a great time.  A year later, and we're memers of the clan and honored with the task of overseeing the camp site for TRF for the 2013 season.

  While *I* won't be out there Pirate Weekend, Phoenix Risen is always looking for company/potential members. If you'd like, you can camp with us.

My wife and I just moved to Houston and will be attending TRF for the first time this year.

@ Alex, I just joined the forum on the Phoenix Risen website. Thanks for the info, as I believe my wife and I will be doing the same thing that you did.

Since you said you are not going to be around that weekend, Who should I talk to so we can integrate ourselves on that friday evening?

Thanks!
Aaron

[ravic]

Alex, the closest town is Magnolia, not Navasota. The Magnolia area is growing & has a few nice dining establishments.

[FaeHollow]

I always have to go to Magnolia Diner at least once a season and if you are coming in early on friday a restaurant in magnolia called Las Fuentas has fee queso until 4!

[<Alex>]

Alex, the closest town is Magnolia, not Navasota. The Magnolia area is growing & has a few nice dining establishments.

  I stand (pleasantly) corrected.  I've never driven in from the Houston side.

 

[James Wraith]

I always have to go to Magnolia Diner at least once a season and if you are coming in early on friday a restaurant in magnolia called Las Fuentas has fee queso until 4!

Is the Magnolia Diner your typical diner environment? There's no way I can drop south of the Mason Dixon and not stop for biscuits and gravy or chicken fried anything. Might be from the north, but I'm southern at heart (and stomach).

Edit: Just saw about AHE and the 40th next year. We are definitely looking in to doing a little Faire tour next season. While it will be based mostly in/around the Midwest, I can definitely see choosing TRF as the way we close it being a real thing. Our main reason for going the weekend we are this year is the theme. Our garb at the moment is pirate, though we are both looking to expand in to multiple sets of attire. Her's naturally based on fashion she likes, mine based on the types of weapons carried =P.

[Riot]

Yeah it just a standard diner type place. However the best Chicken Fried steak is up on 105 if you go North from faire.. I can't never remember the name of the place though

[Bonny Pearl]

Another good place for Chicken Fried Steak:  Goodson's in the city of Tomball which is south of Faire, about a 25 minute drive.  They bring rolls with gravy to your table to eat while you wait for your CFS, fried okra and black-eyed peas. My favorite combo mmmmmm.  Oh and trust me the 'small' CFS is as big as the plate.  You can find Goodson's on one of The Food Network or Travel Channel 'best of' shows.  Gotta get some BBQ while you are here as well.  If you plan to extend your stay past faire days then search that out as well.  See you soon!

[FaeHollow]

I always have to go to Magnolia Diner at least once a season and if you are coming in early on friday a restaurant in magnolia called Las Fuentas has fee queso until 4!

Is the Magnolia Diner your typical diner environment? There's no way I can drop south of the Mason Dixon and not stop for biscuits and gravy or chicken fried anything. Might be from the north, but I'm southern at heart (and stomach).

Edit: Just saw about AHE and the 40th next year. We are definitely looking in to doing a little Faire tour next season. While it will be based mostly in/around the Midwest, I can definitely see choosing TRF as the way we close it being a real thing. Our main reason for going the weekend we are this year is the theme. Our garb at the moment is pirate, though we are both looking to expand in to multiple sets of attire. Her's naturally based on fashion she likes, mine based on the types of weapons carried =P.

It is like a 50's diner with all the breakfast and chicken fried you could want!

[James Wraith]

With less then a week until we leave, we're super excited and getting all the last minute things done. Just wanted to confirm this, but propane cooking is allowed on the campgrounds, correct? Would kind of suck to plan to cook one way and then be told it's not allowed upon arriving.