Scarborough Renaissance Festival Office — Local services in Waxahachie

Poor parking lot management meant it took us 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES to get out of the parking lot, and we left an hour and a half before it closed.

They lost a loyal fair goer today. I've been going to this fair since I was a kid; it's my birthday tradition. Today I nursed my baby son in the back seat of my van twice, changed his poopy diaper, and still managed to spend over an hour running back and forth in the parking lot, begging various managers to do a simple solution to the parking problem. The issue was that there are 2 main roads out of the parking lot. The 4ish rows farthest back from the exit were being routed to do a long loop around to the back of the line to get onto the main exit road, while the rows closest to the exit were being allowed to go straight onto the exit road and out the front without having to get to the back of the main line. The parking lot directors kept stopping the main exit line every few cars to let those folks through. The compound effect was that the back of the main exit line NEVER MOVED. We sat in our car for over 20 minutes trying to get onto the back of the exit line, and didn't move a single car length. My baby was crying in the backseat from being hot and tired. FINALLY I got fed up enough to get out (my husband was driving) and walk around to see what was happening, and it was easy to figure out. They needed to stop all the people on the front feeder roads cutting the line for about 10 minutes and let the main exit line move through for a bit. I spent over an hour running back and forth, begging them to fix this, and the incompetence and just complete lack of care was astonishing. Finally they got so tired of the sweaty mom in a corset complaining about her crying baby that they escorted our van past the line and to the exit. I feel terrible for the people who were still stuck waiting for over 2 hours. It was absolutely maddening. Nothing is worth that kind of misery and complete careless incompetence in management.

I have absolutely no experience in parking lot management, but even I could see the problem in a few minutes of walking around. They had 20+ lot attendants out there, all with cell phones, but the managers were freaking driving around in golf carts giving verbal directions that the attendants then proceeded to follow for about 2 minutes and then just go back to what they were doing. A set of walkie talkies (or failing that, a group text with all the attendants) would at least allow them to coordinate better

I really hope someone from the fair reads this, because they should never let this kind of gross mismanagement stand. Our friends who happened to park in a feeder road close to the exit got out in 2 minutes. My husband listened to our baby cry in the back seat for an hour and forty five. Mind blowing...

First time going, and probably last time going for a while until they fix things. Went on 4/13/24.

Here are a list of the issues: took about an hour and a half from hitting the the exit prior to Scarbourrough to be able to park. Scarbourrough needs to move or work with the city on improving the surrounding road infrastructure. They are not meant to handle this much. It’s a safety hazard at this point. -Takes about 10 minutes from the very back of the lot to front. Only costs $20 for a one way ride to the front. Another $20 to your car. Bike is full of ads of course. (This is important later on) -Is this place supposed to be child friendly with some good Christian/Halal/Kosher fun? A lot of the guests were dressed very provocative, both male and female. A program booklet with the park map and activities only cost $4. The booklet had ADS, not for events or shops inside the festival but outside. Why am I going to be paying for a booklet when it’s full of ads? Do the ads not provide enough income to make them free? It’s a cash grab at this point. -Long lines for food in some locations. Others across the festival were 1-2 long or no line at all. -If you have dietary restrictions, good luck if it’s not vegetarian. Won’t find halal or kosher meats on the ground. No vegan options except a salad which won’t fill anyone up. Vegetarian prices are expensive for how so little food they provide. I ended up having to buy 2 vegetarian items everytime I ate to fill me up since there was no halal meat option so I could be full. -Every restrooom I went to, the water fountain was down, meaning you had to buy water bottles for $4 a pop. Coincidence? I think not. -Restrooms aren’t looked at often, one I went to ran out of hand towels inside. Though they did have a porta John’s washing station outside with hand towels. -Lots of gypsies, even employees dressed up as Gypsies. Most people don’t know that Gypsies ethnically and linguistically originate from Northern India and Pakistan. A person who is from that region, could easily tell the clothing is very similar to what they wear in the motherland. My wife felt it was very off putting and slightly racist seeing gypsies in this manner when she’s Pakistani. -My wife was over the weight limit of the elephant ride, and when she mentioned it to a friend. The ride attendant was trying his hardest not to chuckle. It was extremely rude.

Pros: Unique Experience Hand crafted books and meeting the artisan...

My family and I had the absolute best time at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie, TX! It was our first time going, and we made it a full family affair—including my husband’s mom, who was just as excited as the kids. From the moment we entered the gates, it truly felt like we had stepped back in time.

My daughter and mother-in-law had a blast riding a camel together, which was such a unique and unexpected experience! We also enjoyed a few of the renaissance rides scattered throughout the fairgrounds—each one adding its own touch of magic and laughter to the day. The kids were completely in awe.

Now let’s talk about the food… the turkey legs were absolutely massive and cooked to perfection—juicy, smoky, and fall-off-the-bone delicious. We also tried the pulled pork, and wow, it was hands-down some of the best we’ve had at any festival. Everything just tasted better with the energy of the place buzzing all around us.

The costumes and entertainment were straight out of a storybook. Everywhere we turned, there were knights in shining armor, jesters cracking jokes, fair maidens in flowing gowns, and musical performances that felt straight out of the medieval times. The dedication to character and detail was truly impressive—it brought the entire festival to life.

The only thing that I found a bit displeasing was the pricing at the merchant tents. While we expected a few markups, some of the vendors were definitely price gouging, which was disappointing when you’re trying to treat your family without breaking the bank. Still, the scenery, the entertainment, and the overall experience far outweighed that one downside.

All in all, we had a magical time. It’s such a fun, immersive experience that’s perfect for families of all ages. We made memories that we’ll be talking about for years to come—and we’re already planning to go again next season! Highly recommend it if you’re looking for a unique and...