So we are close to being in Larkspurshire - while at the faire what should we NOT miss - anything special (acts, food, drink,places,shops??)
I know there are many similarities with faires, so any differnet about this one that we should not miss?
Soory, while at a rest stop, our hampster started talking to some old hippeis and left with them looking to find America :) I don't think he will make faire:(
Were they rockstar hippie hamsters??? which exit number???
Quote from: Gauwyn of Brocknell on July 16, 2009, 09:17:55 PM
Soory, while at a rest stop, our hampster started talking to some old hippeis and left with them looking to find America :) I don't think he will make faire:(
A Rest stop? In Colorado? NO it cannot be true. I thought Colorado did away with all of their rest stops.
Acts Well thats a tough call maybe Dead Bob? Nope miss that one...German Brothers? On;ly if you like Rap and Pretzels... AHHH Wishing Well wnches always a good laugh. Puke withthe new Snot. WOW so many I'm not a good judge as I've been coming to this faire for 20 years and I've seen them all so I really cannot say. But Dead Bob does grind on some.
Food Yakitori Hamster... I mean Chicklen, pretty good stuff. I and Toki love the Baron of Beef. I'd say avoid the corn as your Iowa corn would be much better. Steak and a Stake is good but pricy.
Drinks Fresh Squeezed Lemonaide is the best or iced tea. But if you want something hard try the cider. Beer... avoid Coors and if you must drink beer drink a Killians since our faire doesn't have any of the Colorado Micro Brews such as O'Dells (NOT O'Douls) and New Belgium Easy Street Wheat and Fat Tire. Zoe's Pepsi Throwback stand is good too :)
Shops Excalibur Leather is outstanding. As is the artisan just left of Charolttes gazebo who has antler carved blades. There is a FANTASTIC Leather shop down by the Joust called Renaissance Leather that has some very beautiful bags and other leather things.There is a wonderful mug shop down by the Elephants that is carring metal mugs and chalices this year that are beautiful and nicely priced.Hope this helps
Lady de Laney is correct- don't miss the front gate and the royalty up there who wave at you.
Go see the joust-
Rick Stratten- the hypnotist-
Iris & Rose-
The German Bros, ya- (I haven't been able to see these guys perform, here, but they have tons of energy and are great with with the nobodies like me)-
If you have enough time you should be able to see every act and visit every shop and eat one of everything.
Oh yeah, bring your umbrella so it won't rain.
Go back and get your hamster.
We saw the German Twins at Scarby. Some a very small part of Ded Bob and will definetly see his full show. We go to MnRF and always saw Puke and Snot (saw the new one last year). Looking forward to seeing Arsene and always like the joust. We will check the others mentioned.
Hampster left his little cell phone in our car, so we cannot get a hold of him :(
Don't forget "Great Balls of Fire" oh and bring marshmellows.
The hamster will find you... concentrate... concentrate...
Quote from: Demetrius on July 16, 2009, 10:22:14 PM
The hamster will find you... concentrate... concentrate...
Hey Some Hamster wearing a Jimmy Hamdricks shirt just knocked on my door. Said he was from the Corn belt and lost. Three hippies tried to stone him (not with drugs) then smoke him. He wants to find his traveling companions and said something about Rocks of Castles? Maybe Castlerock?
OH, you had to ask...
Well, Let me tell you!
Get there nice and early for a good parking spot! And if you come later, make sure you know where the shuttle stop is..you'll need it for the end of the day!
So, Opening at 10:00, you are, of course, the first in line because you got there early. Wave to the King and Queen as you pass into the lovely village of Larkspurshire. The streets are lined with people greeting you. Wave and say hi, but keep moving or you will be trampled. You may consider dancing with the fairies before you get too far up the road. Once you've had you fill of fairies, walk straight past the giant purple Pan statue(a good meeting point if lost) to the bakery. There are lovely breakfast items here, including hot or iced coffee which you may need.
Breakfast firmly in hand, wander downhill a bit and to the left (everyone else is going the other way, up and to the right of the gate, you will avoid the crowd) to get your face painted by our own Mistress Charlotte. This is good for Pirates, Princesses, and Knights of all ages. Get it done while the faces are still mostly clean ;) You can take a look see at the sword shop just off to the side of Mistress Charlotte's booth as well. Good swords. Lovely Male Openers.
You've eaten, the caffeine is kicking in, and you are beautiful. What to do? Attend a joust of course! Depending on how long you lingered over breakfast and choosing face paint, you probably still have some time before the first joust, but that's alright, you have a lot to see on the way. The first joust is the most family friendly as it is the least violent. It's a tournament of skill, so they only fight a little. But the horses are amazing and are often walked in the arena beforehand, so it's good to get there a little early if you are a horse loving person. The joust starts at 11:30.
Getting to the joust is part of the fun. After leaving the face paint booth, you will see that you are surrounded by many splendid shops. Fairy wings, nuts, books, and souvenirs. The nuts make a good snack for during the joust (There is a lot of food, but remember, you are walking around at altitude in heat, you need food and water...a lot of both) especially if you didn't have protein for breakfast. Just past the nuts is a leather bound book shop. Stop in and see Blushing. Just up ahead are privies, and it may be time for a potty break before you sit down for joust.
Once you are ready, head towards the Globe Stage. Remember where this is. Most of the shows here are family friendly and there is food nearby! There is usually a 10:45 show on this stage, and so can be a good time to catch it, depending on how fast you move. Past the Globe Stage the most magnificent sight - booze. Hard Mike's Lemonade stand. I don't know the girl's name, but she's nice and generally bored. Say Hi. She also marks where a misting tent is for those hot days. As you wander on, you'll see the Maze and the Giant Rocking Horse.
In the not-so-far distance, you hear bells. They are playing....."Carol of the Bells" Oops, you are late! You should have a seat for joust by now! Hurry! Pick a side, good or evil. Good is on your left, evil is on your right. The bells you hear is the carillon, a magnificent instrument. He plays before every joust. (In years past, "Carol of the Bells" has been his second to last song, and the cheerleaders cue to get in position ;))
And...Joust.
After joust, the options open up. And everything is uphill from joust, so decide carefully. There is a Children's Realm (petting zoo) on one side and up the hill are many fun shops. On the other side there is the Fortune Stage which has either an hypnotist or vaudeville act on it. Both acts are the same group of people and are family friendly. The vaudeville act has dogs! They usually start just after joust, so you can trundle on over. There is also food and drink near that stage, including my favorite, the beef stew in a bread bowl. Inexpensive, and a complete meal. These shows run several times a day, so you can catch them later if you want to pet animals and get to shopping instead. I prefer to catch their last show of the day as it puts you behind the bulk of the crowd when leaving the Festival. So, let's go pet a goat instead!
Once you are petted out, you can head up the hill - after washing your hands. Also, really good privies here. Best ones for hoop skirts. Up this hill are numerous shops. There are baubles, leather goods, clothing, drums, a tea and spice shop, Crystal Sticks, and I believe a henna shop. You will need to walk it more than once as you can't see both sides at once. In the middle of the lane there is the King's Catapult (giant trampolines) and Camel rides - or llama rides for the wee ones. After the camels, you'll see the chapel to the downhill side and the Greyhounds to the uphill. There is usually a hound out to pet, so check it out. The wishing well is up ahead. Go ahead, Make A Wish. (That's a joke, proceeds go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation)
Moving onward, you'll see a pirate ship. Just sitting there.... It's a store! Buy some booty. Just down from the store is the Pirate's Pub. There is a stage here and in general not the place for the young'uns. So, a great place for the rest of us! Just past the pirate ship is a large food court and...at last...picnic tables. This food court has many many choices and extends across a stage and down to the bakery - more coffee? These tables are a good place to plop down for the 1pm parade. It goes right by here and includes an Elephant! Don't get in the way of the Elephant! Wave back to the people in the parade.
By this time, you probably have a few stage shows you want to see before second joust. Go see them. The second joust of the day is a fully armored joust and they do actually tilt at each other. Not bloody, and certainly more exciting than the first. If you are going to miss one, this is the one to miss actually.
After second joust, time to see the other half of the Festival. Yes, you've only seen half! Go back up the other side of the hill you went up after the first joust, see the other shops. Go past the food court, after getting an ice cold soda from the pop stand in the middle, just behind the royal pavilion. If you walked slowly, the queen may be back in the pavilion. Go say hi! The court is great fun to talk to. Behind the royalty lies the King's Swing. The whole family can ride this together. It's magnificent! Wandering by the shops behind the swing is shady and usually quiet. If you follow this path up the hill, you will reach the Puke and Snot pirate ship stage. Just before it, there is a climbing wall perfect for aspiring knights and pirates. After that climb, you'll need more to drink. Fortunately, there are drink booths next to P&S. Head down the hill on the other side to find some of the quaintest shops in the shire. Candles, art, clothing.
There is another stage here. The Washing Well Wenches. This is a great show. Just behind the stage are three fabulous shops. Chain mail, swords, and the most beautiful clothes. Peruse these, then head over to the gypsy camp.
There should be a pickle man here. Buy a pickle. Buy three, they're yummy and good for you! This loop includes such wonders as the elephant rides, archery, and the Celestial stage. This is generally a good stage for shows - including Charming and Dashing *le sigh, le heartbeat, le sigh* and the German Brothers, whom everyone but me likes - and there is a funnel cake shop just behind it. Mmmm...funnel cake. This is also a good place for buying things..or getting hair braided. There's a bread shop, more wax shop, a flower shop, and Mister, if you have yet to buy your Missus a flower from the wandering flower people, you are a slacker and can redeem yourself here. There's also a good soap shop in this loop.
As you finish this loop, you will head downhill and see birds of prey next to shoulder dragons. Both good booths. Who doesn't love owls? You will now see the entrance/exit. If you are going to the last joust, you better head that way, if you are not, you have time to catch some final shows of your favorites - including the show to end shows at the Pirate Pub. And a final drink and some pre-dinner. Or maybe you remember seeing that chocolate shop next to the joust field. You should absolutely take home some fudge for dessert. The peanut butter fudge is to die for.
So, that's what you should see, eat, and shop. I hope this helps. ;D
What?!?! I wuvs my Faire. :-*
(and don't be silly, of course I copy and pasted from the other thread) I also edited a little bit for this year. There are some things missing.
Quote from: Tanda on July 16, 2009, 11:29:31 PM
There are some things missing.
Like...
Italian Kitchen... close to Washing Well Wenches
When Tanda says get there early... she means 8:30 or so as you get the very close parking, so at the end of the day you don't have to walk 300 yards to your car or squeeze into an already overpacked shuttle that is baking hot inside. OH and make sure when you do get there early you park near the front gates and not the performers main parking which is close to the entrance into the whole compound.
shows not to miss-
Charming & Dashing
Arsen
Fool hardy (with 2 new shows, plate spinning & untrained dog)
Great balls o fire
wooing contest (pub stage, 3pm)
of course, joust.
watch for parade, begins at 1, runs through 1/2 the village. best place to watch from, near the thrones.
Don't forget about Celtic Legacy! Same stage as Ded Bob. :)