Scarborough celebrates Cinco de Mayo

WAXAHACHIE, Texas — This weekend at Scarborough Renaissance Festival, a variety of Spanish Nobles will visit King Henry VIII and his court as they celebrate the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo. Don Javier (the singing conquistador), as well as Spanish Queens Juana and Isabella with their attendants will arrive for the festivities.
Queen Juana has declared a weekend of shopping for herself and her attendants. More than 200 shoppes await them with one-of-a-kind handmade items. Jewelry, swords and knives, pottery, clothing and works of art are among the offerings available. The beauty and charm of the quaint buildings of Scarborough Village enhance the shopping experience.
Queen Isabella cares more for the demonstrations of glass blowing, blacksmithing, armor making, sculpting, carving, flint knapping, soap making, leather working and other crafts. Craft demonstrations are at numerous locations throughout the village.
Don Javier is interested in the music of the village. In addition to singing Spanish songs himself, accompanied by flamenco guitar, he will spend time listening to the variety of music available from the sounds of North America’s only travelling Carillon, Cast in Bronze, to the songs of minstrels and bards, to the bagpipes of the Grammy nominated group, the Rogues.
As visitors pass through the castle gates that guard the entrance to the recreated 16th Century English village of Scarborough, they will be entertained throughout the day. Scarborough Renaissance Festival’s 28th season continues through Memorial Day, May 26. The festival is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day Monday, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visitors watch shows on 20 stages, shop at more than 200 shoppes, enjoy games and rides, and sample a multi-national variety of foods as they enjoy the wooded 35-acre site.
The festival is located near Waxahachie, just 30 minutes south of the Metroplex, off of Intersate 35E at exit 399A. From Austin or Waco, follow Interstate 35E north to Exit 399. Admission is $19.99 for adults and $6.50 for children ages 5-12 (tax included). Children age 4 and younger are admitted free. Admission includes free parking (courtesy of Allen Samuels Autoplex-Ennis), continuous entertainment and craft demonstrations. Tickets are available on-line, by mail, by phone or at the castle gates on festival days. Discount tickets are available at Tom Thumb Grocery Stores or Austin Area Randalls Grocery Stores. Discount coupons are available at participating Long John Silver’s restaurants. To find out more, visit www.ScarboroughRenFest.com.