A Renaissance Fair to Top Them All

Article by: Emily ward|@masonlazarus

Wed October 08, 2014 | 00:00 AM


Each year, the Texas Renaissance Festival in the United States enlivens the “New Market Village” for eight autumn weekends in the town of Todd Mission. Over a half-million attendees—many of them costumed—create an alternate world with theatrics, jousting, archery, juggling, libations, and games like Drench-a-Wench.

Many attendees engage actively in the Renaissance festival spirit - not only in costume, but in character, too. Although over 400 hired actors are planted throughout the festival, it can be hard to tell the difference between them and the attendees. A general rule is that the more you engage with the festival, the better it is. If you don’t happen to have lacy corsets on hand in your boudoir, never fear: you can rent costumes outside of the festival gates.

This year, the Texas Renaissance Festival will celebrate its 40th anniversary, but shows no signs of slowing as it enters middle age. The 40th anniversary will be marked with the King Midas Masquerade Ball—an all-out party in a new festival garden.