We spent the weekend at Scarborough Faire...the catch line is...Take a step back.....in Time!
While it rings true on the surface, I couldn't help but feel a bit disconnected. Last month, we went to the "local" faire: Excalibur! and while it is still in the put the booth up for the weekend stage, the people there had a much friendlier outlook on life, visitors and idiots who get their car stuck in the mud; than did the villagers of Scarborough, who this year celebrate the 27 year of existance.
While both strive for that quaint, English village faire feel, you would think that with the resources available, Scarborough would win, hands down...in my opinion...no way! Yes, they have the polish, yes they have the beautiful costumes; but they seem to have lost the feeling behind the faire...the "escape to a simpler time and place" attitude. There are always exceptions, the Don Juan and Miguel shows is as comically entertaining 22 years after their first performance, but many of the "simple folk" like those working the food booths, and even some of the "shopkeepers" seem to be, for lack of a better word, jaded and tired of being there. Again, I understand, this is done, rain, or sun, hot or cold, day in and day out...but hey, they CHOSE to do this, so, I would say, enjoy it, or leave! Someone who really WANTS to be there will come along and fill the void.
These faires are pure escapism for those of us, trapped in the "real" world, those of us who have chosen to be attorneys, accountants, businessmen and women. We go, not just to be entertained, but to relax in a simpler time, unwind in a place where the world hasn't reached in forced advancement on it yet. We go to be surrounded by people who will be happy to help the idiot who got stuck in the mud, by trying to park, just a little closer to the gate. We go to be reminded that people are not all greedy, self-serving morons who only think of themselves. We go to remind ourselves that maybe we too, can be a little kinder to our fellow man or woman on the street. In this regard, Excalibur, even though it is a "small" faire, still in its infancy, the people there, are truly glad to be there. I saw, at Scarborough this past weekend, so many people who seem to have just "followed the line of cars" to the faire...they didn't know what it was about, or why they were there...it was just someplace to go. To those of us who truly appreciate the actors, shopkeepers, artisans, thank you...and eventually, the rest of the "crowd" will move on, allowing those of us who want to, to be able to interact with you on more than just a business transaction.
Well, I've been on the soapbox more than usual this time, but, well, when I step back in time...i don't want to be run over by a "suit", weilding a cell phone!
