On Saturday and Sunday, May 3-4, Ryleh visited the 1997 Scarborough Renaissance Festival held in Waxahachie, Texas near Dallas. The following picture gallery is a "first rush" of photographs during those two days--more pictures will follow. Now you can hear "Mongo the Barbarian" (played by Jim L. Dennard) bantering with the Gate Guards early in the morning before the Opening Cermonies began merely by clicking on the following icon:
MONGO'S WAKEUP CALL:The patrons of Scarborough weren't the only ones anxious to get inside on Sunday morning. Mongo had left his steed inside, illegally parked!!! MONGO.RA, 11K.
You can also hear His Excellency Cardinal Tallini (played by Michael Reilly) offer his prayers and blessings at the Opening Ceremony:
CARDINAL TALLINI'S INVOCATION: His Excellency used the "fishers of men" theme as an extended and amusing metaphor in this very colorful "prayer". Listen for the crowd's reaction as the good Cardinal "warms up" to his theme! PRAYER.RA, 62K.
CARDINAL TALLINI'S BLESSING: here the crowd gets a little anxious for the gates to open--and His Excellency has to gently admonish them. BLESSING.RA, 27K.

Taking my leisure on the "Dragon Throne", a wond'rous piece of wood carving--and a very comfortable seat, too!

King Henry VIII and his lovely Queen, Anne Boleyn stroll the grounds, greeting their subjects and patrons during the faire.

The Championship Joust held every afternoon at the Faire. Here, the knights are introduced to the King and Queen.

The daily parade held at 1pm featured not only the King and Queen with their royal court but representatives of all the crafts and performers at the faire.

Isis and the Stardancers--a local bellydancing troupe from Dallas--performed several shows each day at the Gypsy Stage.

Dancers kicked up their heels during a merry country dance near the Kings' Pub.

The Hippogryph, one of many rides and amusements at Scarborough Faire.

RIDE THE DRAGON (below) to return to Ryleh's Main Page by clicking on its icon!