Scarborough Renaissance Festival – 5 Tips to know before you go!

Every Spring my family gets excited – not just because it’s the end of winter, but because Scarborough Renaissance Festival will soon be swinging wide its gates! If you’ve never been to a Renaissance Faire, it may all sound kind of kooky. And it really is – but it’s kooky in just the right way.

One of the best parts of the Renaissance Festival (or Ren Faire for short), is that it can be perfect for so many types of people. The Ren Faire is what you make it! It’s a perfectly wonderful family friendly weekend activity. Perfect for a romantic date. Perfect for a solo excursion. Perfect for a little shopping!

But what should you know before you go?

5 Tips to know before you go to the Renaissance Festival-

1. Check the schedule before you go – There are some absolutely thrilling and gifted performers that have acts going on at all different times during the festival, and in different locations. Its worth a few minutes of your time when you first arrive, to check out the daily schedule so you can be sure to hit the acts you think you will enjoy the most! At Scarborough, one of our favorite acts is Daniel Duke of Danger – we can’t miss him! We also really love Cast in Bronze!

2. Try the Period Food –  Okay, okay – I’m not a 100% sure that Turkey legs are really period. But they are 100% yummy! In fact, kids will get a kick out of all the food items they can eat off a stick. I also highly recommend the Scarborough Mead. I wasn’t sure what I’d think of old fashioned honey wine, but it was delicious. And potent! My husband also noted that there was a lot of extra hand holding and kisses coming his way after I’d had a glass … or maybe two 😉

3.  Dress kids for the weather, before fashion – I have a little girl who is just as in love with Princesses and Fairies as the next kid. So I totally understand the impulse to dress your son or daughter in their frilliest dress or costume for the faire. And if the weather cooperates there is nothing cuter! But if you plan to go on a sunny or very warm day, just remember some of those costumes can become very hot. If you don’t have a cooler costume for the kids, no worries. There are wonderful fairy wings and light gauze dresses for sale at the Faire – and they will keep the little one comfortable and cute!

 4. It’s ok to not dress up- If you follow me on Instagram, you already know that our family really enjoys dressing up for Faire! But when I was first introduced to Scarborough after I married my husband, I refused to dress up for the first couple years we went! I just felt silly. And ya know what? No one acted like it was weird that I was in normal clothes. So if you are not ready to dress the part, don’t let that stop you from enjoying the experience!

5. Plan enough time – Part of the fun is rambling. Leave yourself the day free to meander from one attraction to the next. You will want to stop and watch performers, go in fun shops and try new foods. Don’t short change yourself by not allotting yourself enough time!

Still want some more Ren Faire Advice? Check out the Top 5 Family Activities at Scarborough Faire!

Scarborough Renaissance Festival Details:

April 5 – May 26, 2014
Weekends and Memorial Day Monday
10 AM to 7 PM

For more info: http://www.srfestival.com/

Thanks to Scarborough Renaissance Festival for providing me with tickets to their event to facilitate this post.