Renaissance Fairs in Texas

Knights and peasants, ladies and wenches; harken to my words for what I speak is true. Renaissance fairs are medieval fun for all ages. And there are several to attend in Texas.

Four Winds Renaissance Faire - Located approximately 15 miles south of Tyler in Troup, TX. This fair runs every weekend from the beginning of March through mid-April 10:00 am - 7:00 pm. Parking is free. Adult tickets are $12, kids ages 5-12 are $6, and children under 5 are free. Exciting performances include jousting, musicians, fire-swallowers, and much more. A variety of unique vendors set up shop selling jewelry, clothing, weapons, period games, and many other items. Special features include themed weekends, school shows, and a Masqued Ball. Wedding packages are available ranging in price from $250-$2500. For those who wish to dress the part, they do have a weapons policy that all weapons must be sheathed and peace-tied. They do not sell alcohol, but do allow it carried discreetly in period containers such as a mugs, tankards, or flasks. No open cans, bottles, or coolers are permitted. They also have a campground available with electric RV hookups and restroom facilities with flush toilets sinks, and hot showers. Tent Camping costs are $5 per adult per night with children 12 and under free. RV Hookups are $20 per night for 2 adults with $5 for each additional adult. Find out the dates for next year by checking their website at http://www.fourwindsfaire.com.

Excalibur Fantasy Faire - Located approximately 35 miles south of Austin in Dale, TX. This Arthurian-themed fair runs every weekend in March and April on Saturdays from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm and Sundays from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Parking is free. Adult tickets are $12, kids ages 6-12 are $5, and children under 6 are admitted free. Tickets for active military are $10 with a military ID. The fair has over 60 vendor booths and 6 stages for entertainment. Attendees wishing to dress up need to follow the weapons policy and keep their weapons sheathed and peace-tied. For more information visit their website at http://www.excaliburfaire.com. Please note, though, that at the time this article was written the website appeared to be down for maintenance.

Scarborough Faire the Renaissance Festival - Located approximately 30 miles south of Dallas in Waxahachie, TX. This fair transports visitors to the time of King Henry VIII and is open every weekend from April 7 - Monday May 28. Hours are 10:00 am - 7:00 pm. Parking is free. Tickets are $19.99 for adults and $6.50 for kids 5-12, with children under 5 allowed in for free. Special weekend events include Easter weekend, special performances for the hearing impaired, Highland Games, Royal Ale and Wine Festival, Cinco de Mayo, Renaissance Romance for Mother's Day, Long John Silver's Pirate Invasion, and Final Knights. This fair also has student days. Entertainment includes thrilling Joust shows, interesting Royal Falconer, an engaging Children's Knighting Ceremony, humorous performers on various stages, and a Human Chess Match. The fair grounds also host the Dungeon of Yorkshire Tower with an admission of $3 for Adults and $2 for Children and the Mythical Monster Museum with a General Admission of $3. Among the wide variety of vendors are some who hold demonstrations of their art at various scheduled times. Food and drink from diverse cultures are readily available, as well as drinks including alcoholic beverages. For those wishing to dress in period attire all blades must be kept sheathed and peace-tied. More details can be found on their website at http://www.scarboroughrenfest.com.

Ravens Loft Renaissance Faire - Located approximately 30 miles east of Greenville in Emory, TX. This fair will be open weekends and Labor Day August 25 - 26 and September 1 - 3. Hours are 11:00 am - 8 pm Saturdays and Labor Day 12:00pm - 6 pm Sundays. Parking is free. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5-12, and free for children under 5 years old. Several artisans will tempt attendees with their finely crafted wares of clothing, jewelry, and more. Fine entertainers will delight with fine shows. Visitors in period costumes must keep their weapons sheathed and peace-tied. No alcohol is sold or permitted. More information is available on their website http://ravens-loft-faire.tripod.com/index.html.

Tablerock Renaissance Fantasy Faire - Located approximately 50 miles north of Austin in Salado, TX. This Medieval Storybook-themed fair will be held the weekend of September 15 - 16 from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children, $5 for students with ID, and $5 for military with ID. They will hold an archery tournament for all ages. Entertainment will include music and belly-dancers and several vendors will be offering their artistic creations. Those wishing to dress up need to keep all blades peace tied. Bows should be unstrung. No working firearms will be allowed, though non-functioning replicas are acceptable. No alcohol will be sold or permitted. Find out more about this fair and other events at http://www.tablerock.org/events.html.

Middlefaire Renaissance and Medieval Festival - Located approximately 35 miles north of Waco in Hillsboro, TX. This Late English Renaissance/Pirate-themed fair will be held weekends October 6 - 7 and 13 - 14 from 11:00 am - 9:00 pm Saturdays and 11:00 am - 8:00 pm Sundays. Parking is free. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6-12, and free for children under 6. Vendors and performers will be available to delight and entertain. Those attending in period attire will need to keep their weapons sheathed and peace-tied. This fair is still developing, with grand plans to include a Medieval Village and more. Information is available on their website at http://www.middlefaire.net.

Texas Renaissance Festival - Located approximately 50 miles north of Houston in Plantersville, TX. This is one of the nation's largest renaissance theme parks. They will be open October 6 - November 25 and Thanksgiving Friday from 9:00 am - dusk. Parking is free. Adult tickets are $21, kids ages 5-12 are $10, and children under 5 are admitted for free. They will hold a school days program on October 23-24. Themed weekends include Oktoberfest, 1001 Dreams, Pirate Adventure, All Hallows Eve, Roman Bacchanal, Highland Fling, Barbarian Invasion, and Celtic Christmas. Events include exciting fireworks, rousing jousting, skilled swordsmen, hilarious comedians, wild birds of prey, and much more. Musicians will be performing at various places and times. Food from many cultures such as Italian, Spanish, German, French, and Greek will be available. Games of skill and human-powered rides will delight young and old. Demonstrations will be held in arts such as glassblowing, blacksmithing, and printing press. Onsite camping grounds are available. Wedding and reception packages are offered as well. Visitors in costume will need to have their weapons sheathed and peace-tied. Greater detail can be found at http://www.texrenfest.com.

Enchanted Forest Renaissance Faire - Located approximately 20 miles east of Corpus Christi in Ingleside, TX. This fair will be open December 8 - 9 10:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday and 12:00 pm-5:00 pm Sunday. Parking is $2. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for kids ages 6 - 12, and free for children under 6. They will hold a wine-tasting event in addition to a variety of vendors and entertainers. Attendees who choose to dress up must keep weapons sheathed and peace-tied. More information is available on their website at http://www.renfaireingleside.org or their Myspace page http://www.myspace.com/inglesiderenfaire.

Dragon Valley Renaissance Fair - Located approximately 160 miles south of Corpus Christi in Alamo, TX. This European fair will be open December 29 - 30 in 2007 and in January 2008 on the weekends of 5 - 6, 12 - 13, and 19 - 20 from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm each day. Parking is free. Tickets are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, $4 for kids ages 7-12, and free for children under 7 years old. Games and archery will be available as well as various vendors offering clothing, leather goods, incense, weapons, jewelry, and much more. Get more details on their website at http://www.borderrealminc.com/Dragon_Valley_Renaissance_F.php.

So grab your medieval garb and prepare for merriment when you step back in time at an adventurous renaissance fair in Texas!