Adventures at Sherwood Forest Faire

The Renaissance Faire is always a great place to bring out your inner princess. I've been to several faires including the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Los Angeles. This weekend was my first time attending the Sherwood Forest Faire in McDade, TX. True to its name, this faire is held in a large forest and is themed after Robin Hood. There were several areas named after parts of the legend, including Nottingham Castle, Maid Marian's chapel, and a humorous snack stand called Prince John's Nuts. The faire had an ongoing story that took place in multiple locations throughout the day about a wicked duke trying to tear down Robin Hood's good name and force a princess to marry him. There were numerous activities available for an additional fee, including a quest, an escape room, and some relaxing carnival rides mixed into the scenic labyrinth of buildings and vendors.

My first destination was the Faery Courtyard, where the mischievous fae failed to appear for their 11:00 meet'n'greet. Luckily, I was able to catch them later for a silly concert. They also made an appearance at the Faery Forest Stage on the other side of the faire, where they played tricks on Robin Hood and his friends for the ongoing story. The courtyard itself looked like a true wonderland with giant mushrooms, tiny benches decorated with forest critters, stone circles, and a rainbow-colored swing. The fae were silly and playful. They interacted with the children and hosted a tea party for them in the afternoon where they served lemonade. The faire had a lot of other fun things to offer to fantasy fans as well. Many of the shops featured art and trinkets with mermaids, faeries, and dragons. The escape room, which I did not do on this trip, was also dragon-themed.

I also decided to embark on the Quest, which involves solving a series of riddles hidden in six shops throughout the fairegrounds. The riddles were easy and involved decoding a series of homonyms. However, the shops that they were located in were difficult to find due to the confusing layout of the map. There were several clues in the quest that applied to multiple shops, and the hints within those shops were so well-hidden that I ended up going in circles and returning to the same places multiple times without realizing they were the right ones. I only managed to find all the hints by asking the shopkeepers, which is something I should have done much earlier. It was frustrating to learn I had been in some of the right places all along and simply missed the clues because they were so well-hidden. For our troubles, we received a sticker saying "I am so smart!" and a raffle ticket, which won us tickets to return to the faire on another day. Overall, I would say the quest was not worth the frustration. I greatly prefer the now-retired Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom game at Walt Disney World, which was similar in concept but more high-tech and player-friendly.

By far, the biggest selling point of the Sherwood Forest Faire is the entertainment. It seems like everywhere we went, there was a show happening. You could sit and watch or just pass by and still feel entertained. We saw a sword dancer, a joust, a humorous performance of Romeo and Juliet, and several instances of the continuing story of Robin Hood, the duke, and the princess. There were enough offerings to suit any taste, from the fantasy lover to the thrill seeker. The strategically placed theatres throughout the grounds made it so that no matter where you are, you're probably within hearing distance of a performance. I wish I had spent more time watching the Merlin show. When I walked by, he was singing a lovely duet with Morgana about Avalon. Several key performances, including the finale, took place at Nottingham Castle, which has an interior that looks similar to Medieval Times. Although not as big as Newman's Castle, Nottingham Castle contains a themed event hall with suits of armor, chandeliers, and tapestries that can be rented out for events.

The Sherwood Forest Faire is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to escape into a world of fantasy and adventure. With its lush forest setting, engaging entertainment options, and immersive themed areas, this Renaissance Faire truly transports visitors to the realm of Robin Hood. While some activities, like the Quest, may be more frustrating than fun, the overall experience is well worth a visit. Whether you're a fan of fantasy, folklore, or just looking for a unique day out, the Sherwood Forest Faire is sure to delight. And with its impressive entertainment lineup and picturesque setting, it's no wonder this faire has become a beloved tradition.