The Lee Family: The Renaissance Festival!

Yesterday we did something that we've never done before (and didn't think we would do)! We went to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie! It was actually super fun! Sofia's buddy, Liam, told Sofia about the Renaissance Festival a few weeks ago and she's been pestering us about it since then. We actually planned to go with Liam and his family last Saturday, but had to change plans and go yesterday after Meeting instead. Liam and his family have gone for years and actually went to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival last Saturday. So they had the festival grounds map and schedule and knew their way around already! Thankfully it was a cool and sunny day and perfect to walk around outside the whole afternoon.

After Meeting, we stopped at Torchy's Tacos and each got a breakfast taco, thinking we would eat something at the festival. Then, CK decided he needed another layer, so we stopped at Old Navy and he ran in and bought a windbreaker. It was a windy and cool day, in the high 60s or low 70s, very uncharacteristically cool for this time of year. Mikaela, Liam's mom said that the festival is in a thick group of trees so it is protected from the wind and isn't as hot. Of course, shortly after we left Old Navy, both girls decided they needed to go to the bathroom! We stopped at McDonald's and grabbed a drink while both girls went to the bathroom. Finally we were on the road to Waxahachie, a short hour away.

We ended up arriving at the Festival just as Liam and his family arrived! I'd bought the tickets on-line so we were able to walk in. From the moment we parked the car, it was obvious we were in for a very different cultural environment! Lots of people walking into the Festival were dressed up in their renaissance finery! It was excellent people-watching!

Once we got inside, we took a picture of all the kids together and looked over the map to figure out where we wanted to go. Olivia and Amelia wanted to visit the mermaid grotto and I wanted to be sure we stopped at the "World According to Mark" ceramic shop. Ironically I'd bought two ceramic mugs from a shop in Durango, Colorado when we visited two years ago and I'd recently broke one. When I finally figured out which shop I'd purchased it from, there was a link to the Scarborough Renaissance Festival! I figured I would buy it there, if I could, or order it on-line if they didn't have it at the Festival.

As we started to explore, we came across a woman selling beautiful flower headbands, and Olivia was desperate to have one. Thankfully, CK had cash with him and let her pick one out. It was beautiful and she looked so adorable wearing it. We continued walking and came across two men who we later learned are pretty normal to see at the Renaissance Festival...one was wearing a full-skirted dress and had a parasol while the other man spoke in a crazy British accent and explained that his friend had lost a bet. Sofia and Olivia were totally confused and not sure how to react to these guys. We finally broke away and headed on our way. We came across a pair of camels and wanted to ride the one that was available for $5 each. I gave the girls money and away they went. They loved it, although they said he "smelled bad."

We continued on our way and made it to the food courtyard. The buildings are all pretty permanent and well made and the festival space is huge. The girls were drawn to a dragon! They couldn't get enough and wanted me to take a bunch of pictures with the dragon. Of course, the dragon and his owner had dragon eggs to sell and Olivia was desperate to have one. We told her we would think it over since Sofia hadn't bought anything yet and we didn't want to spend all our money within the first 15 minutes of being there. We decided to find some food since Liam and his family were a little hungry. Sofia and Olivia decided to split a large pretzel, which a big beefy guy carried around on a tall stick. It was actually really cool. Meanwhile, CK found a funnel cake - a favorite of his. We took a break for the kids to eat and then we continued on to the sword shop! Liam has bought a few swords over the years and they knew the best shops. CK took Sofia inside and she was in her element! They had beautiful handmade wood swords as well as gorgeous metal swords! Sofia picked out a wood sword and leather belt to hold it in and was so over the moon! She was so excited! After food and a new sword, we headed to the mermaid grotto!

Obviously the girls were way more interested in the mermaids than the boys, but we walked through the grotto and met a few mermaids sitting in their little pools of water. Of course, each of the mermaids want a tip for pictures. It was really well done and the girls loved it. After mermaids, we continued on to the ceramic booth. They had the ceramic mug I was looking for and I was excited to replace my favorite evening tea-drinking mug! After the mug purchase, we watched some trapeze artists who were really good together. They were a Canadian couple who were great entertainers. As we watched, CK found another sword shop and ended up buying a really gorgeous handmade ax! It was almost too beautiful to use. From there we headed to the stage on the far side of the festival to watch the belly dancers. One of Mikaela's friends is one of the belly dancers and it was fun to watch their talent!

After the belly dancers, we returned to the courtyard and the girls picked out two wrist dragons. They were SO excited to get their new dragons and both girls named them immediately and were busy making elaborate stories. We watched some people sword fight and try to break balloons tacked to their shoulders. It was pretty crazy.

Finally it was time for our final event - the Birds of Prey show, which included hawks, a bald eagle, falcons and a vulture! It was very interesting and informative! The show was great and the kids were all so excited at the end when they could "meet" each of the birds. They were both really in love with the bald eagle. It is a majestic bird and so much bigger close up! It was great to be able to get so close to the bald eagle. The girls loved it. After the Birds of Prey show, we took a family picture and then headed for the exit.

As we left, we decided to meet at a local Mexican restaurant that CK had visited before and said was pretty good. We sat outside on the covered patio and enjoyed dinner all together. The kids had a great time at the far end of the table and Sofia and Liam are such great buddies and have so much fun together. After dinner, we said goodbye to Liam and his family and headed home. It was so much fun and even CK said it was a great time. Look forward to visiting again next year!

One of the fairies outside the entrance