Camping at Scarby

[Thomas Eagle]

I vote hotel for scarby, bardwell was nice but I like camping when I can walk to faire

[Love Good Wood]

i wonder if hotels in waxahachie have some kind of "scarborough package discount"

[Wolfden]

As of last season, there were no hotel discounts, at least that I was aware of. Hampton Inn (I believe) used to offer a FoF rate but they discontinued it last year. Short answer, book early or you will end up paying rack rate. If you are planning to attend the same weekend Nascar has their race at Texas Motor Speedway, you should make a reservation now as every hotel within 50 miles of Dallas will be booked solid.

[Berit]

Hampton Inn still has a F of F discount.  If the person who you are talking to doesn't know about it, ask for someone else.  We are working to get more discounts but the hotels pretty much figure that they don't have to.

[Master Benjamin]

Has anyone done a cost analysis on insurance and security if you get 100-150 campers at $10.00 a car load. Seems to me that $1000.00 a weekend would cover the increase in ins and if need be hire security for the weekend.

[Wolfden]

As far as insurance goes, from my experience with companies I consult for, I doubt they could get coverage for less than $50k. You also have to take into consideration the deductible for any claims which they would most certainly have, plus legal fees to defend a claim or for insurance disputes. In addition, they would have to factor in the cost of any site improvements the insurance company might require such as removing hazards, leveling the site, etc. If they are required to make site improvements, then it also means an increase in property value and higher taxes.

Another issue is the weather. Severe weather has hit the Waxahachie area the last two years during faire, with tornadoes hitting very close to the faire site. Last year, one touched down around the I-35/FM66 intersection and destroyed a motel, I believe it was the Knight's Inn. I doubt they want to worry about a 150 people in tents and RVs when a tornado warning is issued.

[SandrineDeLaTombe]

Yes, it was the Knights Inn that had its roof torn off in the tornado last year.  I never stayed in that hotel, but I heard it was not the nicest of places.

[lilaney]

Thought it was called the Texas Inn? Was there another one that got hit?

[SandrineDeLaTombe]

I could be wrong on the name.  Whatever hotel is off the same exit as the Faire, but on the opposite side of the hwy.

[raevyncait]

It was Texas Inn that lost its roof, and believe me, having stayed there once, no roof is an improvement.

[Master Benjamin]

The Texas Inn had a fire before the tornado hit so it was no great loss at the flea bag motel. Also if before camping Scarby has the campers sign a hold harmless statement saying if something happens to them scarby is not liable, that should hold ins rates down.

[DonaCatalina]

Yes, it was the Knights Inn that had its roof torn off in the tornado last year.  I never stayed in that hotel, but I heard it was not the nicest of places.

The Knight's Inn did take some damage but the Texas Inn lost its whole roof. We went past there on our way to relative's for Christmas and there were some men with trucks and equipment doing some work out there. I may be wrong but it looks like they were preparing it for demolition.

[Ryk Rakham]

Lake Bardwell is the rennie camp of choice as I know it.
I have been there a few times, and as beautiful as it is it doesn't compare to camping onsite at the faire.
I now camp at the super 8 lol
Quite honestly it is a nice change of pace to do that. We usually try to find a group who wants to go in on a block of rooms and get a better rate. If done that way it isn't so horrible. And the fun part there is hanging out by the pool after a hot day at faire... that is just plain good!
If you want to meet anyone at Bardwell, I highly recommend camping as near to the party pavillion as possible. For the most part one ren-group or another rents that thing each weekend and I have never been turned away from it yet.

*and most of those groups have had rum... Bonus!*

We also "camped" at Super 8 last year. Didn't get there to hang out by the pool, but will this year. It was cool seeing all of the rennies heading out in the morning. We'd be glad to go in on a block of rooms if others are interested.

[lilaney]

As for the Texas Inn, as of yesterday, it looks like they are actually building a new roof on the place.

[Love Good Wood]

i just don't understand all the legal issues with camping... the is camping at TRF, Four Winds and even at Middlefaire... whay not Scarby. I live in Waxahachie, and I haven't found ANY camping grounds close by (it must be some city ordinance or something... not for sure).

just wondering how they get away with the Vendors, Entertainers, etc. camping in the back lot