From Humble Beginnings to World’s Largest:
The History of the Texas Renaissance Festival
The Texas Renaissance Festival opened in 1974 with just three stages and 15 acres of what was once an old stripmining site. The festival’s founder, George Coulam, built the festival from humble beginnings with a handful of
vendors showcasing their wares on blankets under the trees, a small group of performers offering improv-style
entertainment and a dedicated group of patrons who wanted to spend the afternoons in another world. Today, the
festival has grown into an incredible dream world spanning nearly 60 acres, featuring eight-themed villages lined
with close to 400 unique shoppes and a cast of thousands entertaining patrons from all over the world!
Hundreds of thousands of patrons journey through the Royal Gates each season to experience the merriment and
magic of the New Market Village by interacting with jugglers, minstrels and fortunetellers while exploring the
variety of hand-crafted works of pottery, sculpted metal, woodcarvings, jewelry and other unique treasures found
throughout the realm. Magical gardens, festive games, hands-on demonstrations and colorful costumed characters
enhance the atmosphere while continuous entertainment takes place on more than 25 stages around the grounds. The
TRF, the largest Renaissance themed festival in the nation, continues to grow, from just 33,000 patrons opening year
to a record-setting 606,694 patrons in attendance in 2012!
True to its mission, the TRF provides an adventure-filled escape back in time where one can delight in the pleasures
of a simpler age. The sights and sounds of the festival are reflective of the period which inspired its inception. In
addition, hundreds of pines and other native trees and landscaping have been carefully designed and planted around
the grounds and beside shoppes, which also stay true to the architectural styles of the Renaissance period, from their
turrets to their deeply pitched roofs. Entertainers, shopkeepers and staff are dressed in 16th century attire and speak
the tongue of lords, ladies, paupers and wenches, all of which creates a truly authentic atmosphere.
Each year, the TRF management works to make the festival more spectacular and to offer patrons more value.
Highlights of the festival’s development over the years include the addition of Sherwood Forest offering games and
rides for children of all ages, along with the creation of several outdoor wedding chapels: the Water Garden, the
Magic Garden, the Roman Basilica, the Chapel, the Rose Garden and the English Garden. The festival hosts more
than 30 wedding events each year from traditional and modern weddings to themed wedding events and receptions
as well as vow renewals, anniversary events and more!
In 1998, the King’s Feast Hall was introduced at the festival, offering patrons a seat at one of the most animate
entertainment and dining options in the realm. The Feast continues to showcase the festival’s finest entertainers and
provides a sumptuous multi-course meal with bottomless beverages and a take-home mug. With the success of the
Feast, the King’s Wine tasting was introduced and is quickly grew into another popular activity at the faire.
In 2000, a magnificent Greco-Roman revival stage, The Odeon, was added to house the growing performance
groups, along with The Arena in 2003, which is the festival’s answer to the Roman Coliseum. The Arena is home to
the acclaimed jousting troupe, the Hanlon-Lees Action Theater. The Joust, one of the most memorable shows at the
festival, is held four times a day and is the most attended show in the park.
In 2004, the Texas Renaissance Festival celebrated its 30th Anniversary and to commemorate the milestone, the
Cloister Stage was constructed to house the Carillion of Cast in Bronze, along with the addition of the Sherwood
Bridge. By 2005, the festival had become a major tourist destination and expanded to eight themed weekends
celebrating a different culture from the period.
A vast number of improvements were made to the festival grounds for the 2011 and 2012 seasons including new
landscaping, improvements to many of the festival buildings and facilities, and a series of new rides and games.
2012 saw the additions of the Barbarian Inn and the Hacienda San Jorge, two covered sit down dining
establishments complete with entertainment.
In 2011 the new Tower Stage was built in the German Village featuring a beautiful new performance area as well as
increased seating space for patrons. 2012 saw the rebuild of an old favorite, the Globe Stage. The updating of
performance spaces continued in 2013 with the upgrade of the Falconer’s Stage.
The Fields of New Market Village, the campgrounds of the Texas Renaissance Festival, began a three year
expansion project in 2012. The improvements include potable water stations, convenience stores, added acreage and
trees, increased security, restrooms, and eventual electricity and other modern conveniences. As part of the
expansion, the entrance to the campgrounds was relocated which also assisted in reducing traffic issues.
In 2005, the festival also opened the Royal gates during the week to welcome thousands of students for the inaugural
School Days event. The School Days program, designed as age-appropriate, educational and entertaining, has seen
tremendous success in a short time. Students are invited not only to attend, but to immerse themselves by
participating in contests. The School Days program welcomed more than 46,000 students in 2014, and continues to
expand its reach to students, offering them a rare chance to see history come alive at the festival!
Thank you for being a part of our history; we look forward to sharing the tradition and magic of the festival with you
for many more years!