History comes alive at Texas Renaissance Festival

The Texas Renaissance Festival (www.texrenfest.com) will host the Seventh Annual School Days presented byRadio Disney on November 1 & 2, 2011, 9 a.m. to 4 pm..

The King & Queen invite all public, private and home school

educators and students to participate in this unique educational event

offering students in grades K through 12 the chance to step back in time

and join in music, theatre, English, art, history

& science competitions, along with demonstrations from jousting and

juggling to glass blowing and blacksmithing.

In addition, students and

teachers will have the opportunity to interact with

King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and hundreds of other costumed

characters showcasing the culture, science and literature of the

Renaissance period! All events and shows are age appropriate and

designed to be both entertaining and educational.

“This

is a unique opportunity for students and educators alike to experience

history in an authentic setting, allowing them to not just read about

historical figures and key discoveries, but to

interact with the people, the places and the events of the time period

in a truly memorable manner,” said DJ Cooley, School

Days coordinator. “It’s our goal to get these kids interested in a

variety of subjects from math and science to music, theater and

art, as there were so many notable discoveries and events that took

place during the Renaissance period which are frequently studied from

grade school through college.”

Students

will have the opportunity to learn courtly dances, the ancient art of

falconry and the history of arms and armor. Artisans will illustrate the

technological advances of the Renaissance

age through live demonstrations in pottery, glass blowing,

blacksmithing, armor making and other arts and trades of the 16^th century.

The

TRF School Days program also offers a variety of contests for students

to compete. Individual adjudicated events include art, poetry, essay,

costume and trebuchet contests. Groups will compete

in the Early Music Festival on Tuesday, November 1^st and showcase choirs, bands and orchestras from schools across Texas and Louisiana. The

Theatre Arts Festivalwill take place on Wednesday, Nov. 2 featuring groups competing in one act plays, group scenes, duet scenes and monologue.

The 2011 School Days event will also feature participation from the

Houston Symphony’sRoger Daily,

Director, Music Matters!, who will serve as a judge for the adjudicated

musical competitions. Daily will also provide valuable feedback,

guidance and instruction for musical students.

Awards

will be presented each day from King Henry VIII to the winners of each

contest; the Houston Aeros will provide complimentary tickets to

finalists in each non-performance category.

Presenting sponsor

Radio Disney will be on-site in the morning for a live broadcast featuring interviews and giveaways on Tuesday, November 1^st.

For a complete list of participating schools and event times, visit

http://www.texrenfest.com/school-days/extras.

Admission for School Days is $8

and includes all contests, stage entertainment, craft demonstrations

and path performances. Cost for games and rides are not included with

admission, but may be purchased at the School Days event.

Lunch tickets are $9and feature (1) entrée, (1) drink and (1)

dessert. Food may also be purchased directly from the various food

vendors or students may opt to bring a sack lunch. For more information

on the TRF School Days program please call 800-458-3435

or visit www.texrenfest.com.

The

Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF) is the Nation’s largest and most

acclaimed Renaissance theme park where the sights, sounds, tastes and

beauty of the 16^th

Century come alive for eight magically-themed weekends. TRF

welcomes more the 450,000 guests annually and features nearly 500

costumed performers on 17 stages; 340 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 is held Saturdays, Sundays and

Thanksgiving Friday. TRF is located 50 miles Northwest of Houston on

more than 50 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds

on FM 1774, between Magnolia and Plantersville, Texas. For more

information, visit

www.texrenfest.com.