The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Texas Renaissance Festival, the nation’s largest and most acclaimed festival of its kind, has wrapped up the final weekend of its 38th annual season with many highlights, including record breaking attendance for both the Festival and 8th Annual School Days. The final attendance count of 606,694 was up 24 percent from 2011 attendance, which welcomed over 490,000 patrons.

The Celtic Christmas three-day closing weekend, held November 23, 24 and 25, set a new closing weekend attendance record of 127,247, up 56 percent from the previous year’s attendance count. The Texas Renaissance Festival also broke three other weekend attendance records including All Hallows Eve, Barbarian Invasion and Highland Fling. With ideal weather conditions, patrons were able to enjoy the Festival to its fullest each weekend, and endured one rainy day during opening weekend, which still brought in over 12,000 dedicated guests.

The 8th Annual School Days, presented by the CW39, held on Nov. 6 and 7, also set attendance records with more than 40,000 students and educators from across Texas and Louisiana. The unique educational event, which increased attendance from 2011 by 19 percent, allows public, private and home school kids from grades K through 12, and their teachers, the opportunity to experience the art, science, theater, history, music and culture of the 16th century.

“Last year’s record breaking attendance was a great milestone that set a precedent for years to come. I am thrilled to say that we not only met this year’s goals, but surpassed them by setting new attendance records,” said Terre Albert, general manager. “I am extremely proud of our management staff for rising to the occasion and making this season the best one yet.”

The Texas Renaissance Festival reported that its online presence has increased substantially as well. Following the 2011 season, the Festival had just over 48,000 Facebook followers, which has since increased to more than 111,000. The Festival plans to continue rolling out ticket offers, additional cast appearances and more throughout the year via social media.

Each weekend, the Texas Renaissance Festival welcomes patrons to enjoy the sights, sounds, tastes and beauty of the 16th Century, which would not be possible without the generous financial and in-kind support of its many sponsors.

Cory Brock, director of promotions and sponsorship, and the management staff would like to thank their sponsors for helping make the 2012 season the biggest and best in the Festival’s history.

Sponsors include: the City of Magnolia, Bud Light, Coca-Cola, Northside Fiat, Spring Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Aerodrome, Amerigas, Houston Aeros, KIAH, CW39, Lone Star College Montgomery Theatre Department, Mike Eubanks Construction, Denny’s, Theater Under the Stars, Top Dog Halloween Madness, Farm Pac Kitchens, Glazier Foods, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Messina Hof Winery & Resort, Prestigious Event Rentals, Randall’s, Republic Services, Walgreens, Woodchuck Cider, and Woodforest National Bank.

“In the past 38 years, the Texas Renaissance Festival has become a Texas tradition that many look forward to each fall,” said Brock. “We are thankful for the support from our sponsors as it allows the Festival to flourish, grow and provide top notch entertainment year after year.”

Other highlights of the 38th Annual Texas Renaissance Festival include the 100-acre expansion of the Fields of New Market Campground, the renovation of The Globe Theater, the addition of the Hacienda San Jorge, a sit-down Latin cuisine restaurant, and a new mobile app for iPhone and Android devices.

The 39th Annual Texas Renaissance Festival will take place Saturdays, Sundays and Thanksgiving Friday, from Oct. 12 through Dec. 1, 2013. For more information about the Texas Renaissance Festival, please visit http://www.texrenfest.com.

About Texas Renaissance Festival:

The Texas Renaissance Festival is the Nation’s largest and most acclaimed Renaissance theme park where the sights, sounds, tastes and beauty of the 16th Century come alive for eight magically-themed weekends. The Texas Renaissance Festival welcomes nearly half a million guests annually and features nearly 500 costumed performers on 17 stages; 400 shoppes including international food purveyors, unique artisans, merchants and craft vendors; human-powered rides; an abundance of strolling performers and the Royal Finale at dusk.

The Festival received the 2010 and 2011 Merchant Circle “Circle of Excellence” award and was recognized by H Texas Magazine as the “Best Alternative Wedding Location” in the 2012 Best of H Texas issue.

The Festival is held Saturdays, Sundays and Thanksgiving Friday. The Texas Renaissance Festival is located 50 miles northwest of Houston on more than 55 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds on FM 1774, between Magnolia and Plantersville, Texas. Parking is free. For more information, visit http://www.texrenfest.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter or download our mobile app for iPhone and Android devices.