Texas Renaissance Festival - A Magical Medieval Fair

A Renaissance festival, also known as Renaissance fair (or faire) or Medieval festival is an outdoor theme park which emulates the medieval time period, usually open on weekends for several weeks at various times throughout the year depending on the location.

Typically at a Renaissance faire you will see lots of folks (visitors, vendors, and staff members alike) wearing medieval style costumes as well as those of other time periods and fantasy characters, such as the Vikings, barbarians, pirates, wizards, fairies and elfs. There are also medieval oriented shows, games, rides, arts and crafts, along with foods and drinks. Some fairs, like the Texas Renaissance Festival, provide the opportunity for you to have a wedding there in which case, you would need a Renaissance wedding gown.

Here's an excerpt from Wikipedia about the Renaissance festival actually being an American phenomenon:

"Although historical reenactments are by no means exclusive to the United States (for example, the Earl of Eglinton in Scotland sponsored a large tournament as early as 1839), the Renaissance Fair is, arguably, a uniquely American variation on the theme, having as much the flavor of an amusement park combined with a shopping mall as of a historical reenactment. European historical fairs, on the other hand, seem more on the living history museum model, where an actual historic site is peopled by re-enactors whose job it is to explain historical life to modern visitors. American Renaissance fair patrons may be as interested in drinking, eating, shopping, and watching farce as they are in an educational experience. Since the mid-1990s, American-style Renaissance fairs have been spreading into Canada."

Besides The Texas Renaissance Festival, other notable medieval fairs in the US include The Arizona Renaissance Festival, The Bay Area Renaissance Festival, King Richard's Faire in Carver, Massachusetts, Ye Merrie Greenwood Faire in Washington, and The Louisiana Renaissance Festival.

As I mentioned in the introduction, there's a different theme for every weekend at the Texas Renaissance Festival, for a total of eight. These themes have always been the same as far as I know, especially in recent years, although the order may be slightly different every year. However, the themes for the first and last weekends (Oktoberfest and Celtic Christmas respectively) have always stayed the same. So here are the 8 themes:

Oktoberfest
This is the theme for the opening weekend. You can indulge in delicious German foods such as bratwurst and sauerkraut, drink plenty of beer, enjoy traditional German music and dancing, and take part in the Alpine Yodeling and Polka contests as you journey back in time to Bavaria and the Black Forest.

1001 Dreams
You will relive your magical childhood fantasies as wizards, faries, and elves come to live on the village streets to spread joy throughout the shire. You will also meet Queen Titania as she judges the fantasy costume contest.

Pirate Adventure
So you think you can talk like a pirate? Then join the contest and try yer luck! Otherwise, just relax and watch the crew of the Pride of Bedlam in action or check out the fine treasure at the Pirates' Cove.

All Hallows Eve
Since Halloween is my favorite holiday, naturally this is my favorite Texas Renaissance Festival theme. Vampires, ghosts, and other spooky creatures haunt the village as you and the kids trick-or-treat and savor a steak on a stake. As the sun goes down, glittering Jack o'Lanterns create an eerie scene throughout the village. Taking the Ghost Walk (more on this later) would be a perfect way to end your haunted day.

Roman Bacchanal
Can you scream "toga, toga, toga!"? You may want to join the world's largest toga contest and show off your physical attractiveness. If you have a big appetite, why not join the pasta eating contest? Can use a little wisdom? Visit the oracle of Delphi. Otherwise, just enjoy your day and "do as the Romans do."

Highland Fling
Put on your favorite kilts as you visit the park and try the different ales or a Scotch egg. You may also find the Bonnie Knees and Highland dance contests exciting.

Barbarian Invasion
If you're a weakling, find a different weekend to visit! Just kidding! :) The kids can take on a barbarian while you compete in one of the rowdy barbaric fashion contests and devour a whole turkey leg.

Celtic Christmas
As the festivities come to an end at the Texas Renaissance Festival, Christmas is just around the corner. So it's only appropriate to have this theme on Thanksgiving Friday and the closing weekend. Prepare for Yule as you take a sip of hot spiced mead or mulled cider and behold the beautiful Christmas decorations.

Great foods and drinks

When it comes to eating and drinking there are plenty to choose from at the park. The prices are not cheap but hey, it's your special day to enjoy, so why not indulge yourself and spend that extra money? It's all worth it. There are all kinds of ethnic foods such as Spanish, Italian, Scotch, English and Polish to name a few. There's also The King's Feast for an ultimate dining experience.

One of my favorites is the smoked whole turkey leg. It's so huge that you can (and should) share it with your partner or kids. You eat it with your bare hands just like the Barbarians do.

On warm days there are various cold beverages like shaved ice and cold beer to quench your thirst. On cool days, warm yourself with hot spiced mead, warm mulled cider, or hot chocolate.

Cool people

The folks at the Texas Renaissance Festival (staff members, vendors, and visitors alike) are mostly fun loving, friendly and laid back. You will also see quite a number of hippies and pagans there.

If you're a pagan or interested in paganism you can visit The Magick Cauldron which sells jewelry, knives, candles, herbs, and lots of other cool stuff.

You will notice quite a few people walking around in their bare feet either as part of their costumes or with no costume at all. I enjoy going barefoot, and Texas Renaissance Festival is a great place to do so. There are some fairs that require footwear but not this one. Feeling the grass, dusty paths, and cobblestone walkways with your bare soles is just heavenly! :)

Freedom of expression

When visiting the Texas Renaissance Festival you can release your inhibitions and express yourself with cool body arts, even if only for a day. Get your face painted or get a henna tattoo at several locations throughout the village.

It's haunted!

If you have some energy left (and if you're brave enough) you can take the Ghost Walk after the park closes and most visitors have left. Yes, that's the time the spirits roam the village! This walking tour (which costs extra) takes you around the park one more time (assuming you did so earlier) and stops at various locations that are most haunted, where a lot of people have noted the presence of spirits. "This is a very spiritual place", said one of the tour guides. The tour lasts about an hour and a half. That's why I said make sure you have the energy.

The 2011 dates are October 8th to November 27th and Thanksgiving Friday.

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