Sadly I have never been to a Renaissance Festival and a little known secret is I am history geek! Why haven’t I gone yet?!
I think 2016 may be the year for me to experience it especially since I’m back in Texas and have family in Houston and Galveston plus I have a hankering for a good turkey leg!
Below is the official press release on the Texas Renaissance Festival and events with more details…Maybe I’ll see you there?!
HOUSTON (September 1, 2016) – The Fall is near and with it comes the enchantment of the Texas Renaissance Festival, the nation’s largest and most acclaimed Renaissance theme park, bringing eight themed weekends of food, fun and 16th century magic, from October 8 through November 27, 2016. This season’s themed weekends include Oktoberfest, 1001 Dreams, All Hallows’ Eve, Pirate Adventure, Roman Bacchanal, Barbarian Invasion, Highland Fling, and Celtic Christmas. Kids ages 12 and under get in free every Sunday.
The King will reign for his 19th season with Texas Renaissance Festival. Photo by Steven David.
Established in 1974, the Texas Renaissance Festival attracts over half a million visitors each year to its nearly 60-acre New Market Village and 200-acre Fields of New Market Campground in Todd Mission, Texas, just one hour north of Houston. The Festival’s immersive experience features world-renowned live entertainment, works by master artisans and craftspeople, award-winning food and drink, hand-powered rides and games, and over 100 interactive characters throughout the season.
Texas Renaissance Festival 42nd Season Weekends:
Oct. 8-9 Oktoberfest sponsored by Bud Light
Oct. 15-16 1001 Dreams sponsored by Denny’s
Oct. 22-23 Pirate Adventure sponsored by The Woodlands Conventions & Visitors Bureau
Oct. 29-30 All Hallows’ Eve sponsored by Coca-Cola
Nov. 5-6 Roman Bacchanal (American Sign Language Weekend) sponsored by Ben E. Keith
Nov. 12-13 Barbarian Invasion sponsored by Farm Pac/Yoakum Distributing
Nov. 19-20 Highland Fling sponsored by The City of Magnolia
Nov. 25-27 Celtic Christmas sponsored by Joe Meyers Toyota/Mazda/Kia
The festival boasts hundreds of world-renowned master artisans and craftspeople across its nearly 60-acre 16th century village. Photo by Steven David.
Popular for its turkey legs, authentic mead, jousting and live entertainment, Texas Renaissance Festival brings in the largest number of artisans and merchants of any Renaissance-themed event in the country.
“People come from all around the world for this experience. Our loyal patrons, actors and merchants who have been here from the beginning will tell you it is a magical, inviting experience for people of all ages,” says Terre Albert, general manager of the Festival, says.
There are over 400 shoppes offering handmade items such as beeswax candles and soap, armory, clothing, art, jewelry and more can be found nestled between areas that bustle with the energy of an Italian Village, a German Beer Garden or a Florence market. Blacksmiths, glassblowers, hawkers, fairies, pirate kings and beer maidens stay true to character, bringing to life the spirit of the Texas Renaissance Festival. A new addition to the festival grounds is Titania’s Bower Stage which will host a new act called “The Living Foundation”, a tale of a magical water statue brought to life. In addition, the new stage will host the School of Dance.
New to the grounds, Titania’s Bower Stage can be found in the Magic Garden. Photo by Steven David.
Couples looking to wed need look no further. The Texas Renaissance Festival has become a major wedding destination and Festival organizers expect another record number of wedding ceremonies to take place on festival grounds this season, with a Mass Vow Renewal slated for Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. interested couples can get more information by calling 1-800-458-3435.
Festival organizers expect another record breaking number of weddings this season.
Photo by Steven David.
After an exciting day feasting on the finest foods fit for a king, interacting with the festival’s entertaining and noble characters and wandering through hundreds of shops selling unique crafts and treasures, guests can continue their festival experience at the Fields of New Market Campgrounds, 200 acres of sprawling camping space for RVs, trailers and traditional tent campers, conveniently located next to the Festival grounds.
“Since last year’s record-breaking season, we have been busy planning new ways to attract more patrons and their families to our campgrounds,” says Albert. “Camping is a big experience out here and we have made sure there is something for everyone.”
Festival organizers have brought in new on-site food vendors, including Texas Fat Boyz, to offer hot, delicious menu items like Turkey legs, hamburgers and chili dogs from Festival close into the wee hours. A margarita truck will offer frozen margaritas to campers 21 years of age and older, and the Festival’s newly-renovated on-site convenience stores, Drag-on Inn and Drag-on Buy, will offer an array of camping products, snacks and beverages, including beer, wine and mead.
The campgrounds have around-the-clock security and offer two professionally-managed bonfires on Saturday nights – one in the early evening for families and kids, and another later in the evening for the adult crowd. The campgrounds will also feature three ticket kiosk booths located throughout the site so that campers can avoid the ticket lines at the festivals entrance. A Quiet Camping area is reserved for families and patrons to relax and enjoy a peaceful evening after a non-stop day of festival merriment. To purchase tickets and for more camping information, visit this link. There is no limit to the number of tickets one can purchase.
After hours, patrons 21 and up, can enjoy TRF After Dark, located in the Fields of New Market Campground. Photo by Steven David.
Fan favorite TRF After Dark, a costume gala for guests 21 and older, will return to the Fields of New Market Campgrounds for its second year of fun and fantasy. Each Saturday of the Festival, TRF After Dark will offer patrons music and dancing, live entertainment, themed contests, drinks, food and more from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
This year’s TRF After Dark Themes include:
Oct. 8 – The Grande Masquerade
Oct. 15 – Cirque Fantastique
Oct. 22 – Lucky Devil
Oct. 29 – The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Nov. 5 – A Night of Burlesque
Nov. 12 – Heroes, Villains and Vixens
Nov. 19 – The Funky Formal
Nov. 26 – Naughty is Nice Ball
For the latest news and information, visit the Texas Renaissance Festival Facebook Page and follow Texas Renaissance Festival’s Instagram (@Texrenfest) and Twitter (@Texrenfest).
About Texas Renaissance Festival
The Texas Renaissance Festival is the nation’s largest and most acclaimed Renaissance themed event. Established in 1974, the event attracts over half a million visitors each year to its 55-acre New Market Village and Fields of New Market Campgrounds in Todd Mission, Texas. This immersive experience features world renowned live entertainment, works by master artists and craftspeople, award winning food and drink, hand-powered rides and games, and over 100 interactive characters during its eight themed weekends from October 8 through November 27, 2016. For more information, please visit www.texrenfest.com.