Have Questions ???

[Sir Smithwick]

Things are looking good for our group for opening weekend of Scraby.  Looks from other post Super 8 is the place to stay.  Our group has been going to TRF for years but this is our first time going to Scraby and have a few questions that I hope the borad could answer. 

What acts at Scraby are must sees?  I know Iris and Rose will be there but what other acts need to be seen

What shops do you have to look in?

Are there any resturants or bars close by Super 8?

Can you tailgate at the Super8?? ie set up a little grill and cook burgers and drink a couple of adult beverages

Wheres the after Scraby get together? 

There are probably a few more questions that I have not thought of yet so if anyone else has some post it here.  Looking forward to April. See you there

[MacLaren]

There are a number of great shows to see. My personal fave is Cast in Bronze. If you've never seen him, get there early, and sit at the very front. He ROCKS!! The Rogues are a great bagpipe group. Donal Hinely is another. Most every show is a must see, and take my advice, either wander aimlessly and land where you may, or <cringe> schedule the day out on paper. The latter I tried, and said to heck with it after a couple of hours. There's just that much to see. Not as big as TRF, but close.

Super 8 is the primary choice, yes. Tailgating? Don't know, but we'll be there in some fashion I'm sure(we're kinda hard to miss).

[Love Good Wood]

the acts you HAVE to see are Don Juan and Miguel (they have been there for like 25 years... VERY FUNNY), Dr Kaboom (think Bill Nygh the Science Guy in the Renaissance time... but funnier), Hey Nunnie, Nunnie was very funny, Zilch the Tory Stellar is very interesting (tells great stories but mixes the words around and it sounds hilarious)... and the Human Chess Match.. (alot of action... I didn't see a chess match listed at TRF when I went)... i'm sure there are alot of other great shows, but those are the ones that really stuck out for me... i know you can check out Don Juan and Miguel & Dr Kaboom on YouTube.com... i think there may be the chess match on there too.

not sure about any after faire party... last year was my first time back in about 23 years (although I worked there in 1985... great party memories!)

not sure about the tailgate parties at super 8 either

alot of great places to eat around 287 & 77 on the "NEW" part of Waxahachie

just contact me anytime... I live in Waxahachie about 10-15 minutes from the faire

[Sir Smithwick]

MacLaren have seen Cast in Bronze many times at TRF (remember 1 year that he was the closing act to the fireworks)  is this the same person that plays at TRF or another?  Looking forward to seeing the Rouges.  How do they compare to Tartanic? Because I really like Tartanic.  It is absolutly useless to try and plan a day at faire between looking in shops, acts, and people all you do is constrict your day.  Just enjoy your time there.

Doublet thanks for the advice definatly will see Don Juan and Miguel and Dr Kaboom.  Dont want to see them on YouTube because I like to be surprised when i see a show.  Also want to see Zilch and Nunnie.

Now on to more questions that have come to mind.

About Super 8 400 N Interstate Highway 35 E, Waxahachie, TX? - (972) 938-9088
Are there any rooms left and if they are do you pay now?
Whats the cancellation policy?  And who is the best person to talk to?

Another question is the weather.  Whats it like on opening weekend?  I will check weather chanel .com before coming up but would like a general idea on what to expect. 

Can you see  the entire faire over the weekend?  It going to be about a 5 1/2 hour trip there up there, so really want to try and see as much as possible.

Again if anyone has any questions post it here.   

[Love Good Wood]

yes you can definatlly see the whole fair in one weekend... depending on how much time you spend at shops.

as far as weather goes, it's hard to say... last year it was quite hot, but i've seen pics from a few years ago when it snowed... and another when it was a downpour of rain... keeping my fingers crossed that this year will be "just right"...

I don't have any info about the Super 8 but from what i'm reading on other threads, it seems to be the place to stay if you want to be around other rennies

[Al-Nimer]

The weather last year was just right on the first two weekends.  From what I remember, almost every weekend was good weather except for one that was a bit cool and rainy, and Memorial weekend was hot.  So my advice is to be prepared for just about anything!  Make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen, as there's not much shade until about 4th weekend.

Cast In Bronze is pretty much the same show you saw at TRF, but at Scarby his stage is adjacent to the human chess field.  We usually try to get to his 2:30 show about 10-15 minutes early, and get a good seat for the chess match that begins at 3.  He usually ends that show with "O Fortuna" which is an excellent lead in to the match!

We actually have found that scheduling what shows to see ahead of time is a big help, but only because we know where everything is, how long the shows are, and time to get from one to the next.

[eloquentXI]

I greatly recommend seeing Hey Nunnie Nunnie! and of course seeing Iris and Rose. The great thing about Scarby is that everything is really close together so you'll be able to make both sides of the park at least once, if you're looking to shop.

Also, we hope that all of our forum members join us in the morning, pre-cannon, in the Friends of Faire parking and/or at the RF Meet n' Greet at the Dirty Duck Pub in Holly Grove during and after the parade!

Really looking forward to meeting both you and your group!

[cowgrrl]

Looking forward to seeing the Rouges.  How do they compare to Tartanic? Because I really like Tartanic.  

The sarcastic answer (which I gave to Al-Nimer when he asked me this) is that Tartanic is the Rogues without Randy to keep Nelson in line.  

The serious answer is that the Rogues are a bit more traditional bagpipe while IMO Tartanic is a bit more 'rock and roll' for lack of a better way to put it.

AFA what to see, I love watching the glassblower.  He's very informative & interesting to watch.  The first demo of the day is the best IMO because you can just walk in the gate & walk there & sit & see him start up the furnances & plan the first item of the day.  FYI that the best place to sit is, if you're facing the glassblowing area, sit on your right, closest to the little table where he lays out his glass bits & such.  You would think right in front would be best but we've found off to the right is just perfect.

And, as Al-Nimer said, we're big planners.  Myself more than him.  There's no way we'd have been able to see as much as we did at TRF were it not for my planning both days.

[Sonata]

Now on to more questions that have come to mind.

About Super 8 400 N Interstate Highway 35 E, Waxahachie, TX? - (972) 938-9088
Are there any rooms left and if they are do you pay now? There are VERY few, you do have to provide a CC# now to reserve but they don't charge you anything until you're actually checking out at the end of your stay. CALL (or visit the website) NOW

Whats the cancellation policy? You must cancel by 6pm on your scheduled check-in date

And who is the best person to talk to? Talk to Peter. David is nice, but he doesn't ask for all the information they need to officially create a reservation. Peter is most easily reached in the evening.

*My answers provided in red

[lilaney]

I say the Chess Match, mainly cause I'm in it..

Dr. Kaboom is brilliant, Don Juan and Miguel, Hey Nunnie Nunnie and on that same stage.. Queen Anne's Lace, Iris and Rose and if you want to brush up on your insults.. Christophe is great!

There is always the Joust and the new pub near there to check out.
White Horse Tavern is beautiful in the evening. If Marilee is there again this year, she'll be down the small bridge from the tavern, also the same place Sholo has his show.

There is the Bird show and at the Scottish Cottage, and weapons demo for the kids. The Queen has her badmitton (like tennis?) over there sometimes, that's fun to watch. Rat Pucking twice a day, if you hear someone holler 'CHEESE'; duck.

The Stores to go see? I would say begin wandering and whatever catches your fancy. Have just about a bit of everything.

There is the Maypole, The court dance,the Knighting Ceremony all take place over in Pecan Grove. And then, there's Pub Sing at the Sea Hag Stage. There is also a Pub Sing at the pub near the Mythical Moster Mueseum.

I know that there is some tailgaiting in the parking lot, not sure if they allow grills, I would call and ask about that.
Most the times, it is people hanging out in groups waiting for traffic to die down a bit.

I know I missed some things but, bound too, lots of activities going on all over the place. Hope to see you out there!

[SirRichardBear]

I second the chess match I only get to see it once or twice a season since Scottish court is at the same time.  As for Scottish court you never know what is going to happen there just remember that we Scot's have the most fun of any of the courts at faire.

Lord Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk history, mannerism, and custom lecture is fun and informative.

If you have young ones with you try the turtle races they are fun for all ages, Twig is great with kids, nature of mercy and the cannon drill are good interactive shows for kids.

Sarah Mullen is a great relaxing way to end the day in the past she performs on the village bridge.

lilaney rumor had it that they were going to do a new pub at the old armoury or that lady hawk and ole ale house was going to be redone and expanded were those rumors true?

[raevyncait]

Looking forward to seeing the Rouges.  How do they compare to Tartanic? Because I really like Tartanic. 
Another question is the weather.  Whats it like on opening weekend?  I will check weather chanel .com before coming up but would like a general idea on what to expect. 

Can you see  the entire faire over the weekend?  It going to be about a 5 1/2 hour trip there up there, so really want to try and see as much as possible.

IMO, the Rogues outdo Tartanic by a mile. The Rogues have a handful of pipers that they can pull from, as well as having added a fiddler to the mix in the last year or so for a whole new dimension. It's a whole new show every weekend. They do tend to be more traditional that Tartanic, and honestly, the times I've seen Tartanic, I've just been thoroughly unimpressed, and very nearly annoyed by them. 

Weather opening weekend could be anything from beautiful, warm but not yet hot, to the beautiful snow we had opening weekend of 2007, so just watch the weather channel.

It is possible to see the entire faire over a weekend, I've done it when I had to, though since it's home for me, and I'm there pretty much every day that the faire is open, I rarely do see the whole thing in one weekend.

[lilaney]

lilaney, rumor had it that they were going to do a new pub at the old armoury or that lady hawk and ole ale house was going to be redone and expanded were those rumors true?

I can say that the Old Armoury is our first indoor pub. It is where the Wine Tastings will be. As for Lady Hawke, I know not.
I know there is other things goings on, on the grounds as well.
But, as it stands, the who/what/where/ and how of it all is still a mystery.
I am just as curious as the rest.

Sir Smithwick, here are some Pbase places that are good for getting an idea, picture wise, of the Faire.
http://www.pbase.com/topics/bobfloyd/scarborough
http://tomlangesphotography.smugmug.com/Scarborough%20Faire

Looking forward to seeing everyone out there!

[Love Good Wood]

hey on http://www.pbase.com/topics/bobfloyd/scarborough
the last folder on the page is
Scarborough Faire 1993
by Patrick Haughton
they had a different guy playing Henry VIII, but Shannon was still playing Anne, anyone know who he was and when Richard (current & BEST Henry VII started)

[Wolfden]

MacLaren have seen Cast in Bronze many times at TRF (remember 1 year that he was the closing act to the fireworks)  is this the same person that plays at TRF or another?

As some may know, Cast in Bronze obtained a second carillon and Frank has split his show schedule. The new performer, I believe his name is John, played this last season at TRF. I have not heard which one will be at Scarby this year and, while he does not play as well as Frank, John still does an excellent performance and includes some of his own works.

As far as other must sees, Hey Nunnie Nunnie and the Falconer are my two favorites. Last Chance Forever does a magnificent show and it is really something to see the vulture, hawk and falcon fly. Generally, I gravitate towards the shows that do not appear at TRF just so I can see something new. It is a 4 1/2 drive for me to get there and I usually head home the same night so I do plan out my day to maximize my time.

As for bars around the Super 8, I will defer to the locals but I believe Ellis County is a dry county and you must have a membership to get into a bar. When you buy alcohol at Scarby, you have to hand over your ID, it gets swiped into their database and you get a free "membership" and a sticker so you can buy alcohol.