Nation's Largest Renaissance Festival Celebrates 40 Years of Food, Fun and Magic
TODD MISSION, Texas (PRWEB) October 01, 2014 -- From its humble beginnings on 15 acres of what was once an old strip-mining site, the Texas Renaissance Festival has grown into the largest and most acclaimed Renaissance event in the nation. This year, the Texas Renaissance Festival celebrates 40 years of food, fun and magical weekends from October 11 through November 30, 2014, as well as Thanksgiving Friday. Organizers promise an unforgettable season of eight themed weekends, filled with new surprises and the same 16th century cheer, lively characters and turkey legs that have made the event famous.
Over the past 39 years, 15 million visitors have passed through the festival’s Royal Gates into an incredible dream world that includes themed villages lined with over 400 shops across a 55-acre footprint in Todd Mission, Texas.
“This anniversary is an important milestone in the history of the Texas Renaissance Festival,” says George Coulam, the festival’s visionary founder. “We are always finding ways to keep surprising the world, and again this year we will deliver. Our patrons will see things they remember and love alongside things they have never seen before. So whether you are returning or coming for the first time, this is a year not to be missed.”
A masquerade celebration 40 years in the making
To commemorate its 40th anniversary, Texas Renaissance Festival will debut a major addition to its stable of offerings – King Midas’ Masquerade. An event in its own right, the much-anticipated inaugural masked ball will take place every Saturday night of the festival season from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. Guests will celebrate in costume and are required to wear a mask or face paint.
“The King Midas Masquerade is a celebration we have long anticipated,” says Terre Albert, general manager of the Texas Renaissance Festival. “It is truly a fantasy come to life. The entertainment we have planned is nothing our guests have seen or expect.”
To create the ambiance, organizers built a magnificent 15,000 square foot venue for the masquerade ball, located near the campground entrance of the festival. An enchanting 15,000 square foot tented pavilion set in an exotic garden fantasy, King Midas’ Golden Court will serve as a permanent, climate-controlled venue for the masquerade for years to come.
Old favorites meet new additions
The 40th anniversary Texas Renaissance Festival kicks off on Saturday and Sunday, October 11-12 with Oktoberfest, complete with bratwurst, beer, polka dancing, and German-themed contests.
Oktoberfest weekend also welcomes special guest artist Real Musgrave, known internationally as the creator of Pocket Dragons. Over the years, the festival has played host to hundreds of artists, performers and craftspeople, but Musgrave has had a long, special relationship with the festival.
Festival organizers welcomed Musgrave back to design the official 40th anniversary festival poster, program cover, tankard, T-shirt and commemorative coin. Musgrave will make a special appearance during opening weekend to sign 40th anniversary posters and other Renaissance Festival and Pocket Dragon memorabilia that will be on sale inside the festival.
The adventures continue from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the festival season, with magical fantasy themes including 1001 Dreams, All Hallows Eve, Pirate Adventure, Roman Bacchanal, Barbarian Invasion, Highland Fling, and Celtic Christmas.
When patrons are not enjoying all of the exciting games and contests that the festival has to offer, visitors are encouraged to take in a music concert in the New Market Gazebo, watch a performance at the famed Globe Theatre Stage, cheer on as talented falconry artists display their craft, or catch a thrilling joust match, performed by professional actors portraying delightful Renaissance characters.. For a full schedule of events, visit http://www.texrenfest.com.
The Texas Renaissance Festival has always been known as a camping destination for RVs, trailers and tents and the expansion of the The Fields of New Market Campground is an exciting addition for those looking to extend their stay. This year, visitors will enjoy amenities such as brand new showers and continue to enjoy access to restrooms, water stations and a “Quikie Mart” open from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. for drinks, snacks, ice and other camping materials as well as hot cooked meals being served throughout the campgrounds.
Tickets for the Texas Renaissance Festival can be purchased online only at http://texrenfest.com/buy-tickets. For all festival and camping information, visit http://www.texrenfest.com.
Tickets to the King Midas Masquerade are limited (only 600 people are allowed each Saturday), and must be purchased online along with a parking or camping pass. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvre, beer, wine and a bevy of activities and entertainment. For those seeking the royal treatment, Golden Tickets to the King Midas Masquerade are available for an additional $95 to the regular ticket price ($75), and include early entry into the Masquerade Ball at 7 p.m., a celebratory toast with King Midas at 7:30 p.m., VIP and lounge area seating, top shelf drinks and hors d’oeuvres, private entertainment and a gift of King Midas’ special reserve wine. Golden Ticket upgrades are extremely limited. Guests must be 21-years-old or older to attend the King Midas Masquerade. Tickets for the King Midas Masquerade Ball must be purchased at http://texrenfest.com/masquerade-ball/buy-tickets.
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 hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to its 55-acre footprint in Todd Mission, Texas. The interactive event features live entertainment, food, fun and professional actors who stay true to character for eight themed weekends from Saturday, October 11 through November 30, 2014. For more information, please visit http://www.texrenfest.com or follow us on Twitter @texrenfest or like us on Facebook/texrenfest.
Lisa Martin, Love Advertising, +1 (713) 552-1055, [email protected]
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