Scarborough Renaissance Festival

Over a Dozen New Shows to Love during the 38^th Season of
Scarborough Renaissance Festival^®

Written by Helaine Thompson

Scarborough Renaissance Festival^® 2018 will showcase more than a dozen new stage and lane shows, a new Royal court, and many incredible new artisans and their amazing artistic creations as they kick off their 38^th season on Saturday, April 7, 2018.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival^® is interactive fun for everyone, 16^th Century Style that will run every Saturday & Sunday (and Memorial Day Monday) for eight consecutive weekends April 7 through May 28, 2018.

Visitors will enjoy full combat armored jousting, Birds of Prey exhibitions, the Mermaid Lagoon, living chess matches, Knighting ceremonies, 150+ member performing company and 27 stages of interactive and extraordinary entertainment. You will also discover exquisite one-of-a-kind crafts at the 200+ shoppes and amazing artisan demonstrations along with Renaissance rides and games of skill.

Each successive weekend has a different theme including the Artisan’s Showcase, Royal Ale Festival, Celtic, Mother’s Day, Chivalry and Live the Fantasy celebrations each with a variety of special events.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival^® offers “Food Fit for a King” that is a step above food offered at most North Texas Festivals and events. Visitors can feast on our famous giant roasted turkey legs (the best you’ll ever eat), the largest food-on-a-stick selection in Texas, Scottish Eggs or try some of the daily special creations at our very own Pasta Palace and Scarborough Bakery. Our full service restaurant & bar, the Rose & Crown Inn, offers a sit down dining experience with daily specials and signature items like Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers & Mash, meat pies and Muffalettas.

Visitors 21 and over can partake in our custom blended Scarborough Mead, beer, wine and other adult beverages at one of the 12 pubs and taverns. There are also daily wine and beer tasting events for those with a more discerning palate. Tastings require a separate ticket that can be purchased in advance or at the Festival (on festival days). Seating is limited and the tasting events regularly sell out so it is recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival’s 2018 Season offers many exciting new additions along with long time favorites:

2018 Themed Weekends and Special Events:

• April 7 & 8: Time Traveler’s Weekend/Opening Weekend
  • Time Traveler’s Celebration
  • Kid’s 12 & Under Free (3 with each paid adult)/Senior Discount (Half price Adults 65+)
• April 14 & 15: Artisan’s Showcase Weekend
• April 21 & 22: Celtic Weekend
• April 28 & 29: Royal Ale Festival
  • Deaf Awareness Day: April 28^th
• May 5 & 6: Live the Fantasy/Spring Celebration Weekend
• May 12 & 13: Celebrating Chivalry Weekend
  • Vow Renewal Ceremony & Wooing Contest plus Mother’s Day Brunch each day
• May 19 & 20: Legends of the Seas Weekend
• May 22: Student Days
• May 26, 27, & 28: The Last Huzzah
  • Final Weekend Celebrations plus Veterans Parade & Memorial Tribute on Memorial Day Monday, May 28^th

Things to Note

• The year in which our Festival is set has changed to 1521 at the beginning of the reign of King Henry VIII during his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. The 150+ members of the Scarborough Academy of Performing Arts (SAPA) bring this period to life with their outstanding portrayals of these historical figures and other period characterizations.
• A number of our fan favorites will be performing on new stages/locations at this year’s Festival including Don Juan & Miguel, Zilch the Tory Steller, The Fire Whip Show, Nature of Mercy, Cale the Juggler and several others.
• Scarborough Renaissance Festival^® is family friendly with many performances and activities for kids such as the Children’s Knighting Ceremony, Living Chess Match, the Mermaid Lagoon, Fae Follies, Nature of Mercy, Tales from the Village, Renaissance Rides, games of skill and much more!
• There are some performances that are geared toward a more mature audience (16+). They include: Arthur Greenleaf Holmes the Wildly Inappropriate Poet, Christophe the Insultor, Iris & Rose – Wild and Thorny and the King’s Pub - Pub Sing.

• Acrobatrix – a two-person comedy circus spectacular
• Deante’ Fettucine – the world’s premier red-nosed rope-walking Spaghetti juggler
• Fae Follies – a fun-filled journey of story, music & laughs with fairies & trolls
• Garry Siler – a minstrel with songs for the cradle to the grave
• Glenn the Wee Piper – enjoy the sweet tones of the Scottish Small pipes
• Hoop Enchantress (5/19-5/28) – Erin spins, twirls and dances her many dazzling hoops
• Iron Hill Vagabonds – a traditional Irish Folk duo delights with banter and a mix of classical & original songs
• Ky Hote (4/7 – 4/8) – the most dangerous guitar player combining adventurous arrangements of Celtic tunes & tall tales
• Mass Appeal with Father Martin – villagers ponder life’s most important questions, but hardly ever agree
• Scarborough Hath Talent – the talent competition where anything could happen and the points matter not
• Scarborough Waites – the musicians of the Town Watch perform with trumpet & drum to announce the presence of royalty and highlight the jousts
• Sea Shanty Sing Along (5/19 – 5/20) – Sea Shanties are taught and sung by Tobias Anchor, Bosun and Shantyman
• So you Want to be a Sailor? – comic, interactive show that will help you discover if you have the skills, dexterity and cleverness to sail the seven seas
• Synderre the Fae Queen – the Queen of the Fairies floats through the lanes entertaining with stories and dance and bestowing gifts of fairy magic
• Tales from the Village – an interactive story telling show for youngsters of all ages
• The Bilge Pumps (5/19 & 20) – billowing voices performing nautical songs, sea shanties and Celtic music with a huge dose of silly comedy
• The Flying Freak Show – Sir Real the Puppet Man brings puppets, comedy and audience participation to the stage. It’s silly but smart, weird & wonderful!
• The Rogues (4/21 – 4/22) – Grammy nominated Celtic music with exceptionally well played bagpipes and driving percussion
• The Spindleshanks – fantastical creatures and tall friendly folk striding through the village embodying the folklore of Scarborough!
• The Toobadours (5/5 – 5/13 & 5/26-5/28) – enjoy the hi-jinx of the Schnozzians, Hoppy & Fly as they perform “pinkerdoodling” a musical journey of juggling, music & fun
• Wolgemut – (vol-guh-moot) meaning to “be in a good mood”, this traditional German style bagpipe and percussion group present a high energy show with historical music on original instrument. They make the Renaissance Rock!

New & Guest Artisans

• Enchanted Chains - New Artisan (April 7 - May 28)
• Fuglyware (pottery) – New & Guest Artisan (May 19 – 28)
• Hang De Sign – New Artisan(April 7 – May 28)
• KPE – Pressed Flowers in Glass (glass works) – New & Guest Artisan (May 5 – 13)
• Living Art & Lanterns – New Artisan (April 7 – May 28)
• Magpie’s Trick – New Artisan(April 7 – May 28)
• Masquerade Life Casting – Guest Artisan (May 5 -13)
• Painted by U – New & Guest Artisan (April 7 – April 29)
• Runaway Rabbit Press – New Artisan (April 7 – May 28)
• Sculpted Jewelry by Connie Colten – Guest Artisan (May 5 – 13)
• Soarsa Studios (jewelry) – New & Guest Artisan (May 19 – 28)
• Storm Leather Werks – New & Guest Artisan (April 7 – April 29)
• SWS Cutlery – New & Guest Artisan (April 7 – 29 and May 19-28)
• Three Bells Tapestries – New Artisan (April 7 – May 28)

New Food Offerings

• Stuffed Tater Kegs (jumbo tater tots stuffed with bacon, cheddar cheese & chives)
• Frito Pies (Frito corn chips with chili & cheese topping)
• Irish Bangers & Mash (Irish sausage and mashed potatoes with a brown gravy with onions)
• Yogurt Parfaits (vanilla yogurt with fruit & granola topping)
• Fruit Smoothies

Scarborough Renaissance Festival^® is open Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day Monday, April 7 – May 28, 2018 from 10 AM to 7 PM. Located in Waxahachie, Texas, Scarborough Renaissance Festival^® is just 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex on FM 66 off of I-35E at exit 399B. From Austin or Waco, follow I-35E north to Exit 399.

Admission is $28 for adults and $13 for children, ages 5-12 . Children age 4 and under are admitted free. Parking is free compliments of Waxahachie Nissan. Tickets are available on-line and discount tickets can be purchased at Tom Thumb & Albertsons stores starting March 30^th. A ‘$10 off 2 Tickets’ coupon can be found at North Texas MetroPCS stores from March 23^th through April 29^th (offer valid only through April 29^th), and discount coupons can be found throughout the season at Waxahachie Nissan. Sponsored by Dr Pepper.

For more information visit SRFestival.com. Facebook & Twitter (SRFestival) or on Instagram (theSRFestival).