When was your 1st time at Scarborough Faire?

[KeeperoftheBar]

My first time at Scarborough was 1987.  It was like entering a different world which I fell in love with instantly.  Too bad my family and mundane friends don't feel the same way but now I have a whole new batch of ren friends that understand and feel the same way.

[DonaCatalina]

I believe my first year was 1982 or 1983. I know it wasn't the first year.
I remember all those hobbit holes!
What memories...the sheep herding dogs....so many things gone.
Back then we could only afford to go once a season.....young and raising a daughter..... High School band...college and all that..
It was not until 2000 that we began going nearly every weekend. We still love it!

[Tipsy Gypsy]

Early May, 2006. It was a one-day round trip, and we were worn out when we got home, but it was a charming festival, and we came back for a full weekend the next year.

[lilaney]

According to my folks, I was there the year it opened..
I don't remember because I was in utero.
The Official first time I went was in 1985 on a field trip.
I only remember that it was bright and colorful and smelled lovely.
I faded in and out for years, catching it when I can. I did not go full on
garbed-out-huzzah cheering-French hood vs. Gabled hood- tights vs. kilts until I got back from the ocean and now.. my life in the Spring is dedicated to the merriment and entertainment and! I get to kick bustle on the Chess Board, Dance around the Maypole (but! Kick it when your done!) and delight and confuse those who enter the Shire.

A lot of pieces of the village have moved around over the years.
Chess Board, the Wishing tree, games and shops.
I think the joust is the only thing that has not moved; Doublet, am I right?

[Sir Moostifer]

school day 1984... remember the cute wenches saying... "would me lord like a nice hot and juicy thigh?" and me stammering out "maybe later, but for now I'll take one of those turkey legs"

got my face half painted in black-n-white checkers... (what a dork!)

[CatAshtrophy]

Opening weekend, April 2001. I was in high school and our band director took some of us out there for an unofficial field trip. I was instantly hooked and went back that season as much as I could, which wasn't nearly enough.

I had no idea about garb, but new people dressed up. I wore a demin peasant blouse kind of top with a green broomstick skirt from the thrift store. I also had some brown sandals that worked decently. While I was there I got one of those floral hair wreaths.

[Love Good Wood]

According to my folks, I was there the year it opened..
I don't remember because I was in utero.
The Official first time I went was in 1985 on a field trip.
I only remember that it was bright and colorful and smelled lovely.
I faded in and out for years, catching it when I can. I did not go full on
garbed-out-huzzah cheering-French hood vs. Gabled hood- tights vs. kilts until I got back from the ocean and now.. my life in the Spring is dedicated to the merriment and entertainment and! I get to kick bustle on the Chess Board, Dance around the Maypole (but! Kick it when your done!) and delight and confuse those who enter the Shire.

A lot of pieces of the village have moved around over the years.
Chess Board, the Wishing tree, games and shops.
I think the joust is the only thing that has not moved; Doublet, am I right?

well, I remember that the joust was in the same place when I worked there in 85 (because I got to know the guys) but I really don't remember a "Joust" the first time I went in 81... I do remember there was some kind of "duct tape sword" fight... I think it might have been Amtgard or SCA

Oh and you are SO right about the smell of the faire... especially in the morning around the kitchens.. it's heaven... nothing better than a warm apple dumpling for breakfast!!!

[captmarga]

I'd never even heard of a Renn faire, then a friend in theatre at Eastfield College suggested I audition. (I had been in some SCA events, though)  My first visit to Faire was on cast, 1986...

Capt Marga

[dbaldock]

My first visit was near the end of the season in 1995, on an outing with the DFW area ORAC Sci-Fi Club.  I was enthralled with the music and performers, and sorry I hadn't visited Scarby when I first heard about it in 1989 or 1990.

I enjoyed myself so much on that first visit that I bought a Season Pass, and visited at least 5 or 6 weekends, each year until 2003.  Then I was out of work in 2002-2003, during the "Telecom Bust" in N. TX, so I didn't make it to Scarby.  At the end of 2003, I found a job here in Houston --- and was able visit Scarby in 2004.

So, even though I now live in Houston, I consider Scarborough Faire to be my real home faire.

Take Care,
David Baldock

[Var Greyshadow]

My first time was Memorial Day 2003.  It was my first faire outside of TRF, and it didn't really grab me the same way TRF had.  However, I went back in 2004 and was recruited into the Royal Guard.  Everything changed after that.  I started going more often, and soon was buying Friends of Faire passes.  I feel like part of a family there.  I even got engaged at Scarby last spring. 

I too live in Houston but consider Scarby my real home faire.

[Al-Nimer]

Our first time was in May 2005, day before Mother's Day I think.  Cowgrrl had been belly dancing for about a year by then, and we mainly went to watch a friend of ours and the other dancers she'd met the previous 6 months or so.  Anyway, we had a blast that first day, going to as many shows and shops as possible in a day.  We made it there twice in 2006, and then bought season passes in 2007.  Last year we bought our first FoF passes, went to Preview Day, and when we walked through the gate, it felt like we had come home!  I was there 13 out of 17 days open last year, and we plan on going as much as possible this year.

[Rosekrystal]

Opening weekend 1997. A friend of a friend bought two extra tickets
and insisted we go with her. Had an awesome time.

[Nicolas-Antoine]

1988 - still have the photo of me fighting a dragon.

[THELADYKAT]

Mine was some where around 98,99

[Elkyn]

1986.  I went on a lark really.  One of my Dad's employees had gone the weekend before and told me how I would probably really "...be into it."  So I asked this girl I was kinda seeing/dating at the time if she'd be interested in going.  She unenthusiastically said, "sure".  I wasn't convinced she was really too interested (in either the faire or going with me). I considered the date set.  The day before, I called to confirm we were on for that Saturday.  She quickly inquired as to whether I had already bought tickets or not.  I told her that I was planning on purchasing them at the gate upon arrival.  At this bit of news she quickly let me know that something had come up and she needed to cancel. Yyyyeah.  Okay.
I said 'WTH' and resolved to go anyway (by myself).  I had a BLAST.

I started going in garb in the early 90's (I've never really developed a persona though.  I'm pretty much just me in garb ).

I almost got to be a boothie in '97 season.  Unfortunately, I was moving to California right before the faire started so I missed out on that opportunity.  Been back in Texas since '98 and have been back to Scarby nearly every season since.

However, alas, I will not be there this year and possibly the next.  Getting my wife through school is priority #1 at the moment.