Record Breaking Attendance Numbers for Texas Renaissance Festival’s Opening Weekend

TODD MISSION: Despite forecasts for patchy rain over the first weekend, Texas Renaissance Festival organizers report record breaking attendance numbers for Saturday and Sunday’s Oktoberfest opening weekend. The nation’s largest and most acclaimed renaissance festival celebrates 40 years of food, fun and magical weekends from October 11 through November 30, as well as Thanksgiving Friday.

“After 40 years, the Texas Renaissance Festival is built to withstand all types of weather, especially rain,” General Manager Terre Albert says. “Being in Texas, rain is something we’ve learned to expect in the fall. With that in mind, the festival has several covered venues that visitors can step inside if it does start to rain, including The Barbarian Inn, Hacienda San Jorge and a number of shoppes. These places offer food, drinks and entertainment!”

After rain, organizers rebuild any paths, holes or water damage across the 55-acre footprint during the week.

“We do this so that the festival is in perfect shape for festival goers for the next weekend,” Albert says.

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.

Magical fantasies came to life this past 1001 Dreams weekend, October 18 & 19, as wizards, elves and faeries enchanted the streets of New Market Village spreading joy throughout the shire. A Fantasy Scavenger Hunt, Fantasy Costume Contest, and the Dragon Wing Eating Contest were all part of the enchanting celebrations.

To commemorate its 40th anniversary, Texas Renaissance Festival debuted a major addition to its stable of offerings – King Midas’ Masquerade. An event in its own right, the much-anticipated inaugural masked ball takes 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 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 a.m. to 12 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 www.texrentfest.com/buy-tickets. 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’oeuvres, 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.

For further information, visit www.texrenfest.com or follow on Twitter @texrenfest or like on Facebook/texrenfest.