The King & Queen Welcomed Nearly 70,000 Fans For Highland Fling Weekend on November 12th & 13th  

Plantersville, Texas (November 15, 2011)—The 37thAnnual Texas Renaissance Festival (www.texrenfest.com) witnessed a record setting weekend attendance withnearly 70,000 patrons passing through the Royal Gates onNovember 12 & 13, 2011.

Highland Fling weekend, the sixth weekend of the festival’s eight themed weekend run, welcomed 42,088 guests on Saturday, November 5, which is a new single day attendance record,and27,514 guests in attendance on Sunday, November 6.  The festival reached a single day attendance high on the same weekend back in 1998 with 39,722 people in attendance, however; the new single day attendance record increased by over 2,300 people and isup 47% from the 2010 attendance number.

“We have watched our attendance numbers increase across each weekend since we opened on October 8 and are thrilled to welcome so many of our loyal patrons as well as first-time festival goers to the Texas Renaissance Festival this season,” stated Terre Albert, general manager.  “We have had a tremendous response to our new marketing components, new programming elements, including our Family Day Sundays presented by Coca-Cola, our discount ticketing options as well as our camping and hotel packages and we think all of these elements have contributed to the success of the festival this season.”

To date, the Texas Renaissance Festival has welcomed a total of 346,961 guests, which includes the 7thAnnual School Days educational program presented byRadio Disney, that took place November 1 & 2 andwelcomed a record-setting 34,000 students & educators from across Texas and Louisiana.  The unique educational event, which increased attendance from 2010 by 7%, 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 16thcentury.  Students stepped back in time providing programming through various music, theatre, English, art, history & science competitions as part of the festival’s events. 

The 37thAnnual Texas Renaissance Festival continues for TWO MORE WEEKENDS with a Barbarian Invasion on November 19 & 20, and a special three-day Celtic Christmas Closing Weekend presented by DeMontrond  on November 25, 26 & 27.

Tickets are $20 Adults & $10 Kids in advance at HEB and Woodforest National Bank. Prices increase at the gates. $50 Family 4-Packs, $70 Adult 4-Packs and$35 Weekend passes are available exclusively online at www.texrenfest.com.  The festival is aRain or Shine event.

Camping is available each weekend for $20 per vehicle.  Discount hotel packages are available at La Torretta Del Lago and other hotel locations, visit www.texrenfest.com/hotels.

Don’t miss the stars of National Geographic Channel’s newest television show, Knights of Mayhem(www.natgeotv.com/knights) performing at the Texas Renaissance Festival November 25, 26 & 27. 

History comes alive for across eight magically themed family-friendly weekends this fall in the festival’s magical New Market Village, featuring hundreds of daily performances and demonstrations, games, contests, activities, international feasting options, shopping and more through November 27, 2011.  The 2011 Texas Renaissance Festival is presented by Bud Light and Coca-Cola. 

The highly anticipated festival will take place Saturdays, Sundays and Thanksgiving Friday, spanning a total of 17 days, offering patrons a variety of new attractions and performances along with eight themed villages featuring international feasting options, more than 500 costumed performers and hundreds of shows and demonstrations each day!  Explore nearly 60 acres of the New Market Village featuring almost 400 shoppes overflowing with unique arts, handmade crafts, clothing, jewelry and more!        

Join us EVERY Sunday for Family Day presented by Coca-Cola offering families the opportunity to participate in kid-friendly games, contests and activities as well as family-friendly programming throughout the day. 

In the tradition of London’s Royal Fireworks above the Thames, the New Market Village will present a special Royal Finale in honor of the King & Queen.  Marking the close of the day, the Royal Finale: Queen Titania’s Magical Light Show will take place at dark above the Arena. This magical display of mystical dancing lights, along with The Fire Whip Show and controlled fire elements, will be accompanied by the powerful music of Tartanic.  The traditional Royal Fireworks display was replaced this season due to the extreme drought conditions and the burn ban currently in place in Grimes County.

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 16th 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.