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The festival drew around 490,000 visitors in 2011.: Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle.
The Texas Renaissance Festival launched its 38th season Oct. 6 and runs weekends from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Nov. 25.
The largest festival of its kind in the United States, TRF drew more than 490,000 visitors in 2011. And we’re pretty sure every one of them had a turkey leg.
The event, which pays tribute to the 16th century, complete with a king and queen, features 60 acres of entertainment, shopping and demonstrations of old-world arts such as coin minting, paper-making and weaving. Spread over more than a dozen venues, all-day entertainment ranges from jousts and men with fiery whips to gypsy musicians and comic theater such as the Ded Bob Show (with a talking skeleton as its star).
Food is one of the TRF’s main attractions, and you’re never far from a tavern serving adult beverages. One of the most popular events at the festival is the twice daily King’s Feast, which features serving wenches, an all-you-can-eat (and beer and wine) meal and much merry-making.
The King’s Feast costs $99 and includes regular TRF admission and a commemorative drinking vessel.
General-admission tickets for the Texas Renaissance Festival are $25 ($12 for children). Discounted tickets are available online and at Randalls and Walgreens. Group tickets and family packs also are available. For details, go to texrenfest.com.
Will you be a fairy or a knight this year?: Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
Now that summer has finally withdrawn far enough to make going outside something closer to “fun” than “punishment from an angry god,” it’s time once again to trek to Magnolia for weekends at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Being that most of us spend our days in jeans and not pantaloons and fight our duels on Facebook, not with honor on the jousting field, you might require some literary inspiration to get in the proper mood. Perhaps these books will help ...
‘The Once and Future King’
T.H. White’s modern rendition of the life of King Arthur was the inspiration for Disney’s “The Sword and the Stone” and is considered one of the greatest works of fantasy ever written. Even better, it’s absolutely hilarious in a way you wouldn’t necessarily expect of a classic, making it an easier, if less scholarly, read than Thomas Malory’s “Le Morte d’Arthur.”
‘Men of Good Fortune’
Tucked into “Sandman: The Doll’s House” is one of Neil Gamain’s finest short subjects. In it, the anthropomorphic personification of dreams makes a deal with a soldier named Hob Gadling. Starting in 1389, they will meet once a century in a local tavern for a drink, and Death will not touch Gadling until he asks for it. It’s a riveting look at how the world has and has not changed since the Dark Ages.
‘Captain Blood’
If pirates are more your thing, the classic ‘Captain Blood’ by Rafael Sabatini can’t be beat. Peter Blood was sold into slavery by James II for treating wounded enemy soldiers during the Battle of Sedgemoor, but escaped his fate to become the most brilliant pirate king of all time.
‘Life in a Medieval Castle’
Joseph and Frances Gies can tell you everything you could possibly want to know about medieval castles, including how they repelled invaders, hosted parties and even how the toilets worked.
‘Farmer Giles of Ham’
One of J.R.R. Tolkien’s lesser-known works, this fairy tale follows a crotchety farmer who eventually tames a dragon and rises to a lordship using nothing but his will and wits. It’s a short, easy read that pokes fun at many of the fantasy tropes Tolkien himself followed.
‘The Short and Bloody History of Knights, Spies, & Pirates’
John Farman’s abridged histories are comically illustrated, and full of humorous trivia about famous knights, which include a ridiculous real-life stand-in for Monty Python’s Black Knight. (It ends about as well for the real one as it did in the movie.) The pirate and spy sections are excellent as well.
‘Mists of Avalon’
Marion Zimmer Bradley takes a more feminine look at the Arthurian legends, focusing on Arthur’s half-sister Morgan La Fey and the matriarchal pagan religion in which she is a priestess. Just a one-dimensional witch in the legends, Morgan’s story becomes the tale of Christian conquest of pagan societies.
‘Macbeth’
Though bloody, the Scottish play is one of William Shakespeare’s best and most literary works. Lord Macbeth claims the throne through a bloody regicide and uses increasingly brutal means to keep it. Madness, scheming and witchcraft make it a must-read and good practice for RenFest language.
‘The Other Boleyn Girl’
Philippa Gregory’s novels are about as factually accurate as the RenFest itself, but she does have a gift for plucking obscure figures of history out of the shadows and giving them a new voice. When Anne Boleyn fails to bear Henry VIII a male heir, his eye turns to her sister Mary, drawing an audience into the inner workings of the Tudor court.
By Syd Kearney and Jef Rouner
Jef Rouner is a freelance writer and compiled the book portion of this post
Lorrrrrrrrrrrrds and Ladieeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!!!!
Some dudes should look at themselves in mirrors before they go public
Pecs have been neglected, that's for sure
And that tan line is just a bit precious.
Got to get me some steak on a stake!
Ipis E'VERWHERE.........
You must add Ann Nonny's "The Merry Wives fo Henry VIII"... it is a spoof of all the Tudor shows and movies and includes a chapter called 20 Things to Remember When Marrying Henry.
Do not go to this Ren fair---it is a waste of time and money. I didn't meet a single person there who wasn't rude or didn't make a crude, disgusting sexual joke at mine or my wife's expense, even with children around! The food was not good, and I didn't see anything that wasn't vastly overpriced. The fee just to get in is high by itself. I stayed for two hours or so, and only because I was determined to get my moneys worth on the admission price. I finally just gave up after being offended on many levels, and just disgusted by the high prices, rude workers, and nasty food.
Dont go to this ren fair, save you money and do something the whole family really can enjoy!
Hmmm... you sound like you didn't want to go in the first place. A little uptight or was it because your woman made you go? I have been going to faire four or five times a year for a long time and never ran across anything like you describe...the food is always good and the people friendly. You might've tried going with an open mind and you might've had a good time BUT I can tell by your post that an open mind isn't something you cultivate.
As I have a Scotch Egg, next Sunday, I'll think of you and raise my flask to you...
Just curious did it occur to you that your a snob? I have been to Fair on many occasions and didn't have a problem one. Get to know the people and don't look at them like there the freak when in reality the freak is you. As far as family side guess you missed the Birds of Prey,great show that also is educational and entertaining. The many different minstrels around the fair or the living tree, the fried gator is awesome and the Turkey legs rule. If you ask me you had a bad attitude walking into TRF. Tartanic the best drum show you'll hear, or The Brothers Dracul at the barbarian inn. The Steele Sisters at Tower Stage, Cast in Bronze which is amazing, Thomas Wood Pyro-Juggler at the Arena. Humm guess you missed all that stuff huh. Also missed the Fire Works as well. Just a note when you go to Texas Renaissance Festival leave your attitude at the door.
I have gone many times over the years. It a good and interesting time, both for couples and for the family. My kids like it. If you are a prude, you may not want to go.
While there, get a free schedule of the shows, and arrive at the stage for your selected show a few minutes early. Makes a big difference. There is very funny and interesting shows.
Watch the parade at noon. You can shop around and pick out one decent souvenir item for a modest price if you look. The food varies but try different items.
Meh. It's so repetitive. Same thing every year. The kids like it however so we will be attending next weekend. If you've never been it's definately worth a visit.
Wasn't it last year that the cops were just waiting for people to drive away and they arrested several dozen people for DUI?
@clay Have you been recently? There haven't been free schedules available for years.
It's not a budget attraction, it's an amusement park, plan your budget accordingly.
That said, a lot of people seem to have a good time.
The schedules are listed on the festivals website. A few vary week to week but not that many. I've been going to TRF since 1979. I always love it.
If you are prudish, a child worshiper or overtly religious to the point of intolerant blather, this festival is not for you. This festival is designed for people to let their hair down and have a good time. To throw off the shackles of their humdrum lives for a few hours and have some real fun. If you cant leave your repressiveness at the door then we would rather you go to six flags and not ruin everyone else's good time with your bad attitude. If, however, you are open minded, not overtly judgmental, and know your children will not be scarred for life just because they saw some very nice cleavage, then this is the place for you! If you cannot smile and take a picture with a gentlemanly centaur, hug random strangers, and will not take yourself or others too seriously, then we look forward to welcoming you as a new patron and friend! If the child inside you hasn't died and would really like a drink, come join us for merriment! Huzzah!