Sherwood Forest Faire: Last Weekend of the Season!

The Sherwood Forest Faire is a renaissance festival located at 1883 Old Hwy 20, McDade TX 78650 .  It is off of Hwy 290 east of Austin and north of Bastrop.  As the name implies, it is centered around the story of Robin Hood, Maid Marion, King Richard, and Prince John circa 1192 AD.  They are not the only ones in Sherwood Forest, however.  There are also pirates, faeries, and gypsies!

This year the festival is active from the weekends beginning on February 9th and ending on March 31st, so there is one weekend left before it is over.  There is a main storyline act which takes place everyday that the faire is open about the theft and return of King Richard's crown.  It is definitely worth following and watching.  The actors are easily heard and very funny.  Other than a very memorable main story there are several other acts, musicians, and shops to occupy your time.  You might want to attend both days as it is difficult to see everything all in one day.  Maps can be found here:  http://www.sherwoodforestfaire.com/seek-ye-our-village/village-map/

ACTS:  Some of the acts include Merlin the Wise, The Pirates of Sherwood: 'Tis A Pirate's Life,  Giacomo the Jester, Hands of Fatima Bellydance, Fool Hearty: Fool's School, Puppet Show, The Karma Dogma Show, Washing Well Wenches (my personal favorite), Poalo Garbanzo Juggling Fool, Shakespeare: The Rotten Luck of Romeo and Juliet, Gypsy Eyes Bellydance, Faery Dance, Sherwood's Mud Show, Sky Kings Birds of Prey, Boris Storyteller, Games Joust, and the Faery Tea Party.

MUSICIANS:  There are musicians such as Jason Gunn Bagpipe Show, Worthy Waites of Whimsy, Klaus of Hamelin, Wino Vino, Tulstin Troubadors, Abby Green, Saxon Moon, Rambling Sailors, Madman Maverick, Shillelagh!, VaNa MaZi, Coal Black Rose, Kaade of the Woods, Faire to Middlin', Bard O'Neill, Wine & Alchemy, and The Bedlam Bards.

 



Shops: 

"Accessories

• Abzu Designs – Booth 117
• At The Top – Booth 426
  New Location
• Black Dragon – Booth 417
• Cap’n Gray Byrd’s Treasures – Roaming
  New Merchant
• Castle Canine Creations – Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Cearweddwen’s Creations – Booth 517
• Four Quarters Shoppe – Booth 201
• Honorable Company of Metalsmiths – Booth 124
• House of Achill – Booth 217
• Misty Worlds Gallery – Booth 505
• Moresca – Booth 118
• White Wizards – Booth 121
• Pathfinder Birds – Gypsy Encampment
  New merchant
• Sherwood’s Hollow – Booth 301
• Tweet Tweet Dynasty – Gypsy EncampmentNew merchant
• Two Spools - Booth 520
• The Village Leather Shoppe – Gypsy Encampment
• Visker & Scrivener’s Quills, Books & Oddities – Booth 205
• Wares of Whedon – Booth 408

Amusements

• Archery – Booth 308
• Axe Throwing – Booth 650
• Fish Flipping – Booth 608
• Fish Pond – Booth 603
• Jacob’s Ladder – Booth 602
• King of the Log – Booth 604
• The King’s Carousel – Booth 210
• The King’s Pony Ride – Booth 600
• King Richard’s Swings – Booth 309
• Knife Throwing – Booth 649
• Maypole Ride – Booth 431
• Quintaine – Booth 648
• The Scarlet Maze – Booth 430
• Test of Strength – Booth 652
• Tubs of Fun – Booth 211

Apothecary, Chandler & Perfumier

• Abzu Designs – Booth 117
• Angelic Alchemy – Booth 621
• Dancing Dog Dairy – Booth 104
  New Merchant
• Iris Adornments and Apothecary – Booth 120
• The Legendary Candle Company – Booth 303
  New Merchant
• M’Lady’s Touch Massage – Booth 407
• White Wizards – Booth 121
• Penny’s Magic Garden – Booth 500
• Summerwood Soaps – Gypsy Encampment
• The Tidepool – Gypsy Encampment
• Ye Olde Piquant Apothecary – Booth 516

Armour

• Eternal Arms – Booth 401
• Leatherwood – Booth 109

Cloaks

• Mystic Cloak and Tailor – Booth 424
• RenShirts – Booth 405
• Two Spools – Booth 520

Clothing

• Cameleon Clothes – Booth 647
• Cap’n Gray Byrd’s Treasures – Roaming
  New Merchant
• Casta Divettes – Gypsy Encampment
• Castle Canine Creations – Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Chameleon Dreams – Booth 521
• Corsets by Casta Diva – Booth 506
• Enchanted Silks – Booth 318
• Four Quarters Shoppe – Booth 201
• Highland Armory – Booth 123
• Inch by Inch Weaving – Booth
• Iris Adornments and Apothecary – Booth 120
• Jiva’s Goddesswear – Gypsy Encampment
• Land of Merriment – Booth 632
• The Land of Suerialeon – Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Moresca – Booth 118
• Mystic Cloak and Tailor – Booth 424
• Paleo Puffin – Booth 653
• RenShirts - Booth 405
• Swan Lace Clothiers – Booth 400
• Things Celtic – Booth 302
• Two Spools - Booth 520
• White Pavilion – Booth 203
  New Merchant
• Zootzu – Gypsy Encampment

Decorative

• Always Azul Pottery – Booth 306
• Cat Dancing Creations – Booth 504
• Flint Stoneware – Booth 130
• The Glass Castle - Booth 202
• Good Sun – Booth 502
• High Ground Dirt Works – Booth 642
• Imaginarium Galleries - Booth 615
  New Merchant
• Misty Worlds Gallery – Booth 505
• Mythologicae – Booth 634
• Phoenix Designs – Booth 411
• Scribal Work Shop – Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Sherwood’s Hollow – Booth 301
• Signs of Spirit – Booth 501
• Stonehenge Sculpture – Booth 204

Drinking Vessels

• Always Azul Pottery – Booth 306
• Ballena Bay Pewter – Booth 126
• Fellowship Foundry – Gypsy Encampment
• Flint Stoneware – Booth 130
• Haller Glass - Booth 425
  New Merchant
• Hammered Creations – Booth 116
• High Ground Dirt Works - Booth 642
• Lady Mac’s Horns, Canes, and Staffs – Booth 519
• The Horn Shoppe – Booth 641
• The Knarly Knot – Booth 105
• Sherwood’s Hollow – Booth 301
• Singletree - Booth 103
  New Location
• Wares of Whedon – Booth 408
• Wondrous Works in Wood – Booth 403

Fine Art

• Allison Stanley – Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Amazing – Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Blazn Brazn Galleries – Booth 609
  New Location
• Cat Dancing Creations – Booth 504
• Good Sun - Booth 502
• Haller Glass – Booth 425
  New Merchant
• Imaginarium Galleries – Booth 615
• Iris Adornments and Apothecary - Booth 120
  New Merchant
• The Land of Suerialeon - Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Life Tree Leather – Booth 307
• Misty Worlds Gallery – Booth 505
• Mythologicae – Booth 634
• Scribal Work Shop – Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Stonehenge Sculpture – Booth 204
• The Summer Country Arts – Gypsy Encampment
• The Village Alchemist – Gypsy Encampment

Footwear

• Medieval Moccasins – Gypsy Encampment
• Nativearth – Booth 311
• Son of Sandlar – Booth 427

Furniture

• Basham Clan – Booth 106
• Curiousitys – Booth 643

Glasswork

• Cat Dancing Creations – Booth 504
• Fellowship Foundry - Gypsy Encampment
• FireFly Art Studio – Booth 402
• Haller Glass – Booth 425
  New Merchant
• The Glass Castle - Booth 202
• Sweet Lolli’s Magical Treats – Booth 616

Jewelry

• Abzu Designs – Booth 117
• Amazing – Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Austin Fine Arts – Booth 624
• Cearweddwen’s Creations – Booth 517
• Celestial Thyme – Booth 646
• Fellowship Foundry – Gypsy Encampment
• FireFly Art Studio – Booth 402
• Haller Glass – Booth 425
  New Merchant
• Hammered Creations – Booth 116
• Honorable Company of Metalsmiths – Booth 124
• IvyMoon Designs – Gypsy Encampment
• Medicine Stones – Booth 420
• Medieval Metal - Booth 518
  New Merchant
• M’Lady’s Touch Massage – Booth 407
• Phoenix Designs – Booth 411
• Saint Aubyn Handcrafted Jewelry – Booth 421
• Saorsa Studio of Beads – Booth 125
• Shire Silversmith – Booth 406
• Singletree – Booth 103
  New Location
• Soulstice Jewelry – Booth 618
• Things Celtic – Booth 302
• Twist of Fate – Booth 617
• The Village Alchemist – Gypsy Encampment
• Wares of Whedon – Booth 408

Leatherwork

• Highland Armory – Booth 123
• House of Achill – Booth 217
• Lady T’s Leather and Drums – Booth 108
• Leatherwood – Booth 109
• Life Tree Leather – Booth 307
• Nativearth – Booth 311
• Things Celtic – Booth 302
• The Village Leather Shoppe – Gypsy Encampment
• Visker & Scrivener’s Quills, Books & Oddities – Booth 205
  New location
• White Pavilion – Booth 203
  New Merchant

Metalwork

• Ballena Bay Pewter - Booth 126
• Blazn Blazn Galleries – Booth 609
  New Location
• Curiousitys – Booth 643
• Earthen Metals – Booth 315
• Honorable Company of Metalsmiths – Booth 124
• IvyMoon Designs - Gypsy Encampment
• Medieval Metal – Booth 518
  New Merchant
• Ravensmiths – Gypsy Encampment
• Red Dog Forge - Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Singletree – Booth 103
  New Location

Musical Instruments

• The Flute Cart – Booth 212
• Lady T’s Leather and Drums – Booth 108
• Paleo Puffin – Booth 653
• Tribal Revival - Gypsy Encampment

Pottery

• Always Azul Pottery – Booth 306
• FireFly Art Studio – Booth 402
• Flint Stoneware – Booth 130
• High Ground Dirt Works – Booth 642

Weapons

• Angel Sword – Booth 310
• Eternal Arms – Booth 401
• Fletchers of Sherwood – Booth 119
• Hammered Creations – Booth 116
• Highland Armory – Booth 123
• Hollow Earth Swordworks – Booth 640
• Red Dog Forge – Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant

Woodwork

• Basham Clan – Booth 106
• Black Dragon – Booth 417
• Cat Dancing Creations – Booth 504
• Curiousitys – Booth 643
• The Knarly Knot – Booth 105
• Lady Mac’s Horns, Canes, and Staffs – Booth 519
• Leatherwood – Booth 109
• Siege the Day – Gypsy Encampment
  New Merchant
• Signs of Spirit – Booth 501
• Tweet Tweet Dynasty – Gypsy EncampmentNew merchant
• Wondrous Works in Wood - Booth 403

Especially For the Wee Folk

• Casta Divettes – Gypsy Encampment
  Clothing
• Four Quarters Shoppe – Booth 201
  Clothing
• Imaginarium Galleries – Booth 615
  Fantasy puppets
  New Merchant
• Good Sun - Booth 502Clay sculpture & accessories
• The King’s Petting Zoo – Booth 601
  Petting zoo
• The King’s Pony Ride – Booth 600
  Pony rides
• Land of Merriment – Booth 632
  Clothing
• The Land of Suerialeon – Gypsy Encampment
  Clothing
  New Merchant
• Nefaerieous Deeds and Designs – Booth 605
  Face painting, faerie makeovers, handmade mystical creatures
• Pathfinder Birds – Gypsy Encampment
  New merchant
• RenShirts – Booth 405
  Clothing
• The Royal Art School – Booth 129
  Art Lessons
  New Location
• Sandstorm – Booth 631
  Make your own sand art & candles
• Siege the Day - Gypsy Encampment
  Siege weapons
  New Merchant
• Sweet Lolli’s Magical Treats – Booth 616
  Candy & crystal wands
• Two Sisters Henna & Face Painting – Booth 645
  Henna & face painting
• The Village Leather Shoppe – Gypsy Encampment
  Leather accessories
• Wax Hands – Booth 633
  Mold your hand in wax
• Willow’s Faery Cottage – Booth 620
  Faerie wings & elf ears
• Wondrous Works in Wood - Booth 403
  Wooden toys

Here to Serve Thee

• Celestial Thyme - Booth 646
  Palm readings
• Die Gelbe Rose Carriage – Roaming
  Carriage rides
• Fresh Flowers – Roaming
  Fresh flowers
• Gaila Designs Face & Body Painting – Booth 319
  Face painting
• Hall of Names – Booth 418Genealogy
  New Location
• Happy Hairbraiding – Booth 316
  Hair braiding
• Henna Body Art - Booth 317
  Henna
• King Richard’s Charming Chariots – Booth 300
  Wagon rentals
• Medicine Stones – Booth 420
  Crystal healings
• M’Lady’s Touch Massage – Booth 407
  Massage
• Nefaerieous Deeds and Designs - Booth 605
  Face painting & faerie makeovers
• Paleo Puffin – Booth 653
  Hookah
• Penny’s Magic Garden - Booth 500
  Massage
• Romance Braids – Booth 216
  Hair braiding
• Runaway Rickshaws – Roaming
  Rickshaw rides
• Sandstorm – Booth 631
  Make your own sand art & candles
• Scribal Work Shop – Gypsy Encampment
  Custom illumination
  New Merchant
• Tarot by Woodsong – Booth 511
  Tarot
• The Sorcerer’s Gypsy Camp – Booth 220
  Palmistry
• Tobar Tinker’s Pawn and Repair - Booth 404
  Pawn and repair shoppe
• Two Sisters Henna & Face Painting – Booth 645
  Henna and face painting
• Village Coin Mint - Booth 416
  Make your own coin
• Wax Hands – Booth 633
  Mold your own hand in wax
• Whimsy’s Muse - Booth 414
  Fantasy photography "

(Shoppes | Sherwood Forest Faire website.  http://www.sherwoodforestfaire.com/faire/shoppes/ .  3/26/2013)

Tickets at the gate are $18 ages 13 and up, $10 ages 6 to 12, and ages 5 and under are free.  If you would like to camp for the weekend, prices are $10 ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 6-12, and ages 5 and under are free (these prices are for the entire weekend, not per day).  Faire tickets are sold at a discounted price at participating HEB stores.  For more information about Sherwood Forest Faire, visit their website at:  http://www.sherwoodforestfaire.com/

Remember, this is the last weekend of Sherwood Forest Faire (March 30th and 31st) for the 2013 season.  Then, it's on to Scarborough Renaissance Festival!

Long Live the Festivals!  HUZZAH!
Lord Thomas Wylde

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the inaugural post of the Texas Renaissance Festivals blog!  Renaissance festivals are magical places where people can rub shoulders with others who love that era of history.  You can watch shows that range from comedy to music.  There is jousting, pirates, gypsies, and faeries.  You can meet such renowned and legendary figures such as Kings George and Richard and Robin Hood.  Musical styles can range from Celtic, Norse, Gypsy, and Middle Eastern and can been enjoyed from the various stages located throughout these faires.

This blog series is dedicated to informing its readers about the various faires and festivals located in Texas.  There will also be reviews of the musicians, acts, and vendor shops that can be found there.  Hopefully, there will also be interviews will the musicians, actors, and shop owners as well.  There will also be posts about topics such as camping, clans, and other gatherings such as music festivals and games associated with the renaissance era.

Now for a personal introduction!  I am Billy W. Mitchell, also known as Lord Thomas Wylde.  I am a Geography: Resource and Environmental Studies major at Texas State University.  I have been attending  festivals for most of my 42 years of life.  I have been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (commonly called the SCA), which is a renaissance era re-enactment group, for approximately 10 years.  I am a poet, author, and photographer.  I have had two collections of poetry published through PublishAmerica LLLP entitled "Schisms of Reality" and "Love, Spirituality, and Politics: Schisms of Reality, Volume 2".  I will do my best to bring this information to my readers in a fair and unbiased fashion.

I look forward to telling everyone about Renaissance Faires and Festivals.  HUZZAH!!!

Long Live the Festivals!
Lord Thomas Wylde
(Billy W. Mitchell)