The Texas Renaissance Festival - 37 Years and Better Than Ever

This year the Texas Renaissance Festival will have been in operation for 37 years. Every year for 8 themed weekends in October and November, you can take the drive over to the Plantersville area to transport yourself through time, back to an era gone by. This beautifully designed Renaissance-period village has been a favored annual destination for many people over the years, but this year may prove to be the best time ever. Along with new management, the Texas Renaissance Festival's Oct. 8-9 opening weekend will bring new attractions and even more ground to cover, with the addition of 7 more acres to the festival grounds. If you've never been, this festival is a real must-see. For those of you have been there before, with all of the anticipated changes, it may be even more worth another visit this year. The gate-purchase ticket price has slightly increased, but there are money saving options you can benefit from if you buy ahead online or in person at sponsoring locations.

Truth be told, the ticket price is the least of your expenses. From the time you step foot in the gate you'll be tempted by a wealth of tasty treasures. One of my favorite parts of the festival is the food! There are more than 60 food and drink vendors. Be forewarned, you will see many things you will ultimately decide you cannot live without trying, so bring plenty of cash, or at least your ATM card to get cash from any one of the 25 ATM machines found throughout the grounds.

The festival now covers 60 acres. It includes eight themed villages with 17 entertainment stages as well as roaming performers, a variety or artisan displays and demonstrations, a huge jousting arena that accommodates around 10,000 festival-goers, and about 350 vendor booths peddling their wares, many of which you cannot find in any other place I've ever seen.

The location for this festival is about 50 miles from Houston, situated between Magnolia and Plantersville on FM 1774, but it is worth the drive and just beautiful really. It's easy to lose yourself, and as close as you'll ever come to being back in the 16^th Century, especially once you encounter countless costumed actors and actresses in full character, not to mention the large number of attendees that show up in various costumes to match the period. For those who might be interested, costumes can be rented just outside the entry gate. For a list of FAQs, maps, directions and links to even more, all of the information you need can be found online at www.texrenfest.com.