Scarborough Faire 5-4-2008

It was a bright beautiful and spring like day, and just plain ol’ lovely. On our drive up to Waxahachie there were fragments of wildflowers all along I-45 North the Indian Paintbrush was interspersed here and there by Black Eyed Susans and a few late blooming Bluebonnets. The further north we went the more tufts of cotton candy colored Primrose there was lacing the edges of the freeway. We arrived a bit earlier than the other members of the Texas Old Farts Sports Car Club as they were coming up from Bryan.

We got our tickets and made our way around the Scarborough Faire grounds. Let me tell you right up front how clean this place was including the restrooms. It was clear that the folks in those parts Don’t Mess with Texas!

The paths were lined with Fullers Earth, that’s cat litter for you non-rock hounds, very walkable and wheelchairable. My hats off to the planners that set up the layout for this renaissance festival, the paths meandered about all the wonderful shops of hand crafted items. There were plenty of places for children to run and hand cranked rides to be ridden on or in. Costumed folks entertained us around every bend and many hawked their wares. Beautiful pottery and glass items reflected smiling faces that admired and purchased the lovely pieces. Just so you know the word piece makes any item increase in value. Although a great many of the items I looked at were priced fairly. Myself being an artist of sorts, understand the skill and enormous amount of time that goes into hand crafting unique designs as do some of y'all. Have I mentioned the gold and silver jewelry that glinted in the sun beams? No. Well there was plenty of that to be had and handy dandy walking sticks to. And there is a creek of sorts that wanders through and under a couple of bridges, making for some pretty views for those that want to stop to look.

I was pleased that there were so many shady places to sit and rest or people watch or both. When it came time to feed the dancing belly there was plenty of good stuff to choose from fish, fruit, steak, potatoes, pizza, pork and yes Ye Old Turkey Legs. Needless to say, but I will for your benefit, there were all manners of grog to drink and yummy sweets to treat those tasty buds on your drooling tongue.

Of course by that time we had already met up with other Old Farts and enjoyed watching a Falconers show and we had the pleasure of seeing an American Bald Eagle up close. Sad to say the majestic bird had been injured and therefore was unable to be in the wild anymore. It was said that some people had moved into a new house under a tree in which the bird lived. Their little dog came up missing and they assumed the big bad bird did it, so they shot it. Fortunately it was not killed but was severely injured loosing part of one of its wings. We learned that Eagles don’t pick up little dogs they are fish eaters, maybe even fish tacos so Kathy and Mike hold yours close.

You can find photos over here. When you go out there be sure to keep an eye on the entertaining events happening all around because you don’t want to miss any of them. They offer comedy, belly dancing, exhibits and learning about birds of prey, knife throwing, jousting and fairies that play the double flute just for you, glass blowing and a number of other fine, neat-O pete-O things.

Alas after only a few hours we had to be on our way as we had a 3 hour trip home ahead of us. I would recommend Scarborough Faire over the Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville any day of the week on the basis of cleanliness, family oriented and propriety of the performers and other visitors. We had a wonderful good time and missed those of you that couldn’t make it this time.

So til next time see ya