The 33rd Annual Scarborough Renaissance Festival opened April 6th and will run eight consecutive weekends (and Memorial Day Monday) through May 27, 2013.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival is a 16th century-style  step back in time into the world of King Henry VIII. It was a time of music, merriment and mirth. Within Scarborough’s 35 acre re-created English village, visitors enjoy the thrill of full combat jousts and falconry demonstrations, laugh and cheer at the non-stop Renaissance entertainment on 21 stages and the hundreds of costumed performers throughout the festival including King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn. You can discover exquisite crafts in over 200 village shoppes and be amazed by artisans demonstrating the lost arts of glassblowing, sword making, metal works and more. There are also many activities just for the kids such as their daily Knighting Ceremony, renaissance rides, Amazing Maze and Human Chess Match just to name a few.

On top of the classic attractions, this year Scarborough Renaissance Festival unveils the mysteries of sirens of the seas with the opening of its newest attraction – Mermaid Lagoon. Mermaid Lagoon features the Captain of the seas and lovely mermaids that will captivate the young and old with their enchanting song and is definitely a site.

Visitors can also take a break from the excitement of live action performances and role playing to delight in food fit for a king with festival favorites like the giant roasted turkey legs, steak-on-a-stick, handmade pastas, Scottish eggs, meat pies, salads and delectable pastries from the on-site bakery. There are also nine pubs and taverns and, for the more discerning pallets, daily wine tastings in the all-new vinery arbor at the Cat & Fiddle Tavern. Different wines will be featured each weekend. The wine tastings require a separate ticket that can be purchased in advance. Free private club membership required to purchase alcohol at the festival.

“We are proud to be the most unique entertainment venue and family event in North Texas”, says Coy Sevier, General Manager, “We offer an exceptional, one-of-a-kind experience for our visitors and are consistently considered one of the best entertainment values available in the Metroplex”.

Scarborough Renaissance Festival 2013 Special Events:

Opening Weekend (April 6th & 7th) – Children free and seniors discount weekend
Legends of the Sea (April 13th & 14th) – Mermaid Lagoon’s official grand opening and children’s Mermaid and Pirate costume contests
Highland Games Competition (April 20th & 21st)
Royal Ale Festival (April 27th & 28th)
Celtic Weekend (May 4th & 5th)
Renaissance Romance Weekend (May 11th & 12th) –Royal Tea with the Queen and Wedding Vow Renewals
Treasures of the Realm (May 18th & 19th)
Final Knights (May 25th, 26th & 27th) – Memorial Day Veterans tribute

New Entertainment for Scarborough Renaissance Festival 2013:

Jacques ze Whipper (April 6th & 7th) – Whips, knife throwing, fire
Kamikaze Fireflies (April 20th – April 28th) – Acrobats and former member of the “Flaming Idiots”
Rondini (April 13th & 14th) – Magician & master escape artist
Saxon Moon (April 6th – April 28th) – An instrumental Nordic group of musicians with influences ranging from Scandinavian Folklore to hits of Mediterranean World Music
Magical Mystical Michael (May 4th – May 12th) – A montage of mirth, mystery & magic; he’s not your typical magician

Scarborough Renaissance Festival Fun Facts

• Began in 1981
• Scarborough Renaissance Festival runs eight consecutive weekends and Memorial Day each spring
• One of the largest and most popular renaissance festivals in the country
• Scarborough Renaissance Festival is a renaissance-themed festival set in a recreated 16th
  century English village celebrating the mirth and merriment during the days of King Henry VIII
• The “village” of Scarborough is 35 acres (larger than most shopping malls) set within a 167 acre site.
• The festival employs more than 2,000 performers, artisans, food service staff, grounds crew and retail staff.
• More than 20 tons of the festival’s famous giant turkey legs are devoured annually during the eight week
  festival
• Scarborough Renaissance Festival is one of the largest outdoor “juried” craft shows in the country
• Average visit is 5 hours
• The festival is a privately held company owned by the same two families since its inception

Scarborough Renaissance Festival 2013 is open on Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day Monday, April 6 – May 27, 2013, rain or shine, from 10 AM to 7 PM. Located in Waxahachie, Texas, Scarborough Renaissance Festival is just 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex off of I-35E at exit 399A.

Admission is $24 for adults and $10 for children, ages 5-12 . Children age 4 and under are admitted free. Parking is free compliments of Waxahachie Autoplex. Tickets are available on-line and discount tickets can be purchased at Dallas/Fort Worth area Tom Thumb or Austin area Randalls stores. Sponsored by Dr Pepper. For more information please call 972-938-3247 or visit www.SRfestival.com.

News release adapted from original written by Helaine Thompson.