WAXAHACHIE, Texas — If you like the idea of a theme park where the theming is so immersive, you might forget you’re in the year 2021, and have an appreciation for all things fantasy and nerdy, 16th century style, you might love the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. The annual event held about 30 miles south of Dallas in the city of Waxahachie celebrates its 40th season this year after canceling the event in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The festival is one of four similar events here in Texas where visitors can time travel to a simpler time in history before cellphones and selfies.
The Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville, Sherwood Forest Faire in McDade, and Middlefaire in Hillsboro all offer “An escape from reality,” according to Dallas resident Leza Mesiah. She’s a performer at the festival who’s called the event her “happy place.”
“Scarborough is the best in my humble opinion. That’s why I keep coming back!” said Mesiah.
Scarborough has been a North Texas tradition growing in size and attraction every year since it opened in 1981.
“I first came in 1983, as what I call a mundane. I’d never been to a renaissance festival,” said Mesiah. “I came just dressed regular and had no idea how much this place would mean to me.”
When Mesiah first visited, the festival was still small and offered her the escape she was looking for during what she calls one of the hardest times of her life.
“I had just recently in essence been widowed and I was just hurting inside, but you come out here and it’s like fairytale land,” said Mesiah.
She’s been coming back ever since, and now 37 years later she’s pretty popular around the festival grounds. The character she’s created for herself is known and loved by festivalgoers who attend every year.
Her name is Nzingha, The Moor of Dundee. The fictional character is an African princess who fell in love with a Scottish duke. The character was inspired by Queen Nzingha Of Ndongo & Matamba, a political figure who held power in the 1600s in present-day northern Angola.
“We don’t hear much of the ancient universities, the wealth, education, commerce, trade and medical advancements which were going on in parts of Africa before the slave trade,” said Mesiah. “As an obsessed Renaissance Faire enthusiast, I want to share the love we have for each other no matter where our heritage originates.”
Mesiah’s love for classic folk music was sparked when as a 6-year-old her music teacher, a Scottish professor of music named Margaret Cruickshank, taught her old English, Welsh, Irish, and Scottish ballads.
“As a child I fell in love with this style of music and here I get to share that love with others.” said Mesiah.
When she isn’t entertaining visitors strolling around the festival, Nzingha can be heard strumming and signing with the festival’s house band Gan Ainm, a diverse group of musicians from across the DFW area that have adapted over the years. While the number of musicians has changed, Mesiah said their lighthearted music or serious ballads make for a unique listening experience.
Outside the festival, Mesiah’s talents can be heard on the two albums she’s released. The first in 2002 titled “The Moor Of Dundee,” includes three original tunes along with her favorite child ballads, broadside ballads, sea shanties that highlight a period within the Renaissance. The second released in 2008 titled “More of the Moor of Dundee” includes 15 classic folk songs.
Mesiah believes artistic expression, teaching, and sharing is the best done through music.
“It changes hearts,” she said.
When she’s not roaming and performing, she also officiates some of the weddings that take place at the festival. As an ordained minister she takes pride in the unique experience she provided the couples she marries.
Outside the festival, Mesiah’s talents can be heard on the two albums she’s released. The first in 2002 titled “The Moor Of Dundee” includes three original tunes along with her favorite child ballads, broadside ballads, sea shanties that highlight a period within the Renaissance. The second released in 2008 titled “More of the Moor of Dundee” includes 15 classic folk songs.
Mesiah believes artistic expression, teaching, and sharing is the best done through music.
“It changes hearts,” she said.
When she’s not roaming and performing, she also officiates some of the weddings that take place at the festival. As an ordained minister she takes pride in the unique experience she provided the couples she marries.
“I feel so honored to be a part of these couple’s special day,” said Mesiah.
“It’s performers like Leza that make this a magical experience for our visitors,” said Helaine B. Thompson, director of marketing and communications for the festival. “She has a way of bringing an intimate personal moment to those she interacts with. It’s really something special.
Mesiah says she’ll keep coming back every year for as long as she’s able. At 68-years-old she doesn’t plan on retiring her beloved Nzingha anytime soon. She and her wife Betty feel they’ve found a family within the renaissance community.
“It’s not necessarily the way history was,” said Mesiah. “It’s the way history ought to be. It’s not about one group being better than the other, one race being better than the other, it’s about all of us celebrating who we are and celebrating each other in our diversity.
The festival closes out its 40th Season May 29-31. A Fallen Heroes Tribute will be held Memorial Day where all active and retired military members are invited to receive a yellow sash to honor their service. Veterans are also invited to march in the festival’s Grande Parade.
For more information visit the festival’s website.
If you have an interesting story or an issue you’d like to see covered, let us know about it.
Share your ideas with DFW reporter Lupe Zapata: Lupe.Zapata@Charter.com.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Leza Mesiah’s character was inspired by Queen Nzingha Makeda. There was also a misspelling of the character's name. In addition, we spelled Margaret Cruickshank’s last name as “Crookshank.” These errors have been corrected. (May 27, 2021)