My observations of the newly owned Sterling Renaissance Festival...

[rivver]

I went last Saturday to the faire-- to see some old friends, and to check out what has been done/changed.

At first I was really put off about the long lines to get in, and couldn't believe that so many people were there waiting nearly 45 minutes to get to a window to pay $22 to get in... I felt pleased that the faire was doing so well, but annoyed at having to wait.  It was pouring down rain, and well, I'm a bit intolerant in my old age, and well, there you have it.  The rain didn't seem to stop right away, so I sent my daughter to the gift shoppe to buy some rain ponchos for the three of us.  She came back and told me that someone inside was selling tickets and there was NO WAIT!!  I secured my spot in line, (in case my daughter was wrong) and went off to see if I could get tickets.  Indeed, there was a ticket sales counter, for cash only sales.  Wonderful!  No Waiting.  That was great.

So, we got in, and immediately I felt a beat-- a pace I had not felt in that place for years.  There seemed to be a 'hustle and bustle" to the faire immediately upon entering-- I didn't quite recognize it until we were walking through to find a friend.  I saw several paid actors, and greeters, and was somewhat drawn in to the festival mentality almost immediately.  So far so good.

It just keeps getting better.

We made our way to the Wyldwood Stage to see the show we'd come to see, and then walked about -- what I saw was activity.  Nearly every direction there was some form of entertainment-- musical groups scattered in every corner, activity, tiny stages all manned and active.  It was such a pleasure to see the "old faire" of Sterling I remembered from the 80's.  (see?  I told you I was old)

Anyway, I want to commend Doug Waterbury (and of course everyone who worked really hard to get this season going) for bringing a dying faire back to life.  It used to be in recent years like a small party in a big room.... now it seemed to overflow with so much to do, that I couldn't even see everything in one day.  What a refreshing turn of events.  This is the first year that spending $22 didn't seem a waste.

I'm going to try to get back another day to play some more.

Antoine
rivver@earthlink.net

[Cobaltblu]

I agree that this year is very good and a big improvement over last year (I only went for the first time last year so that's what I have to compare it to).

I met and spoke with Doug Waterbury for maybe 30 seconds (briefly) on Sunday and told him it was great to see all the improvements this year, and he seems like a nice guy.

It's only going to get better since I hear more improvements are in the works for future years.

I heard that they ran out of turkey legs and water and other food items, which is a very good sign.  I recalled walking past the turkey leg booth once and saw two lines of maybe 100-150 people each.

Regards,

CB

[SterlingFan]

I was at the Festival Sun. (Aug. 3).  I totally agree rivver !  I also noticed that the "vibe" of the Festival seemed more like I remember (I too have been going to Sterling since the early "80's !). 

[Lady Amy of York]

 Huzzah to the new owner  and the revival of  Sterling !!

[irish]

We have been going to Sterling, for over 20 years.   
The changes were slow in coming and then for the last few years, it seemed to loose it's 'magic'.   
All I can say is, it is good to be and feel, at home again!   

[BrotherBarnabus]

My wife and I went to the Sterling Festival today.  I've have been there with my son roughly every other year since 1999, though I didn't make it last year - the last time I went was in 2005.  My wife, though, hasn't been there since 1984, which was also the first time I went. She isn't into such things as much as I am, but she enjoys the artisans, especially those where she can actually see them at work.

Very first impression: the parking.  We arrive at about 1:00. I *could* have tried to drive up close and see if any early departures had left spot open, but I'm not that much of a dreamer.     So we parked out where the attendants directed us, a good 10 minutes walk from the gate.  The "lot" has dried out from the previous weeks, but there were still spots where cars were going to need to be pushed out at the end of the day. But the occasional gravel paths leading up to the grounds were dry and passable. And walking up, we were in good company, which made the walk go quickly.

At the ticket booths, there were 4 or 5 lines open, each with 4 -5 people waiting.  There was one group that was split between 3 different lines, these "sub-groups" buying their own tickets.  One of the fellows was getting offers to have his ticket bought for him buy each of the 3 groups, and someone mentioned that it was because it was his birthday.  The resulted in a spontaneous singing of "Happy Birthday" - by the visitors, not the players. (at least, I don't think there were any players out there at that point.

We entered and started walking the fair. As I said, my wife is more interested in the artisans, and we stopped at several of the booths on our first pass, which took us from the gate down past the Market Cross (new since my last visit) and down the High Road, and ending at the Mud Pond stage.  We were just in time for their version of "The Labors of Hercules", which we found amusing.  From there, it was around the corner for a henna tattoo for my wife.  She had one done 2 weeks ago when we were on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City.  The prices here were cheaper, the artists draw the tattoos freehand instead of tracing from a stencil, and they actually gave her advice on how to keep the tattoo for a longer period of time.  One of the young ladies was even able to give her some hints on how to keep what's left of her first tattoo from fading for a little longer.

From there, it was next door to the latter part of the glassblowing demonstration.  The custom ordered piece they were working on looked gorgeous, and the items in the shop were tempting.  This went on our "check back if we have time and/or money" list.

We traveled straight across the lower area of the fair, all of which is new territory for my wife except for the jousting field.  Our longest time was spent in the metal sculptures display, which in my opinion is the best display of merchandise in the fair.  We could easily spend a year's salary on their artwork, if we didn't need that money for little things like food and housing. We stopped by the turkey leg booth to say hello to my niece, who was running the cash register there.  Her first year working at Sterling, and she has hopes of joining the BTM next year. (15 years of step dancing, 3 years of drama in high school including leads in at least 2 shows, and a drama minor in college, I think she just might have a chance)

From there, we cross back up into the upper part of the fair and over to Armorer's Way, stopping for the kabobs and rice for a late lunch.  I was catching bits and pieces of Zilch the Torysteller while we ate, and after that we caught part of the da Vinci Brother's act.  She found a booth with very pretty earrings and pendants of woven metallic thread and silk, and decided that was what she wanted in the way of jewelry for the day.  right near there, we found the birdbath we'd been wanting at the tile vendor. We completed the circuit, through the original grounds, which she did recognize and remember.  After reaching the front gate, we went down to the Falstaff Pub stage for the Jim Hancock show, and also spent some time watching the living statues. After that, it was strawberry shortcake with the public humliations, then to the pubside stage for the village revels and the final pub sing.

Thoughts:

The Vendors - We very much liked what we saw in all but a very few booths. (most notable was one with obviously mass-produced wooden goods, a lot of laser-etched wood - it wasn't bad, it just didn't fit the "feel" of the fair)  Prices were often out of our range, but that's a function of our financial status, and there were very few cases where we thought the vendors were charging an unfair price. (actually, none come to mind right now)

The Entertainers - The Pub Sing convinced my wife that we should have a) gotten there earlier, and b) spent more time at the various stages.  She especially would like to have caught Hey Nunnie Nunnie's full show. We did both agree that the Queen appeared to have forgotten her lines at the very end, where she seemed to be improvising her closing speech to the Shire.  However, my son was there last week and tells me that it sounds very similar to the closing done last week, so maybe this is better acting than I realized.

The Feel - Given that this was one of the very few really nice weekend days we've had this summer, the place was really crowded.  In that crowd, however, you could still look around at any time and find a player interacting with visitors.  Sitting at a table, you were as like as not to get a "Well met" from a passing player.  And in many cases, from a passing visitor as well.  Something that seemed to be in far less evidence this year was the drunk & disorderly patron.  Obviously, they are still selling hearty drinks, if anything from more locations than the last time I was there.  But there was less of the rude behavior I usually see where people are drinking.  I think it may well be that people are getting more into the feeling of Warwick, and thus are less inclined to be losing themselves in their mugs then they did in the past.

We're home, she with her earrings and birdbath, myself with a new walking stick and several dozen pictures. (which will be posted in a Picasa gallery, with a link in the photo thread) I didn't take as many as I might have if I'd come on my own or with my son, as my wife gets to feeling embarrassed when I walk around all day with a camera in front of my face.  I think the Starling Festival is definitely on an upward swing right now, and I hope it continues.

Brother Barnabus of the Order of the Soaring Sandal

[photomike]

Thank you for your kind observations BrotherBarnabus! The new owner is doing a wonderfull job & learning quickly how to keep the
"magic" of Sterling!
In responce to your comment,
"We did both agree that the Queen appeared to have forgotten her lines at the very end, where she seemed to be improvising her closing speech to the Shire".
Every evening is different! Her Magisty does comment on the events of the day that stand out for her.
   I will be posting a link to my photos on photobucket soon!
Thank you & look forward to your return to the shire!
photomike

[Brighid Black]

"We did both agree that the Queen appeared to have forgotten her lines at the very end, where she seemed to be improvising her closing speech to the Shire."

Actually, this speech is always different.  Her Majesty speaks from her heart during this time.  And each is more wonderful than the last.  I especially liked the speech on the day of the ice storm.  *laugh*  All hail broke loose that day.  (Sorry, Lord Mayor started that!) 

I'm really looking forward, serviette in hand, for the speeches this last weekend.  See you all there!