Lawsuit claims Texas Renaissance Festival backed out of $60m sale

[groomporter]

https://www.kbtx.com/2025/05/01/lawsuit-claims-texas-renaissance-festival-backed-out-60m-sale/

[KiltedPrivateer]

Well that's very interesting. Lots to wonder about there. Also brings back to light the question of Coulam's stability. I thought I heard rumor of cognitive decline for some time now. I wonder if that had anything to do with him not following through with the sale.

[groomporter]

https://www.navasotaexaminer.com/article/news/king-ordered-sell-kingdom
506th District Judge, Gary W. Chaney, ruled in favor of the plaintiff, May 7, to uphold the sale of the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission. 

[KiltedPrivateer]

Now we get to wait and see if this has any affect on the faire at all

[Breandan]

As a possibly related update, George was found dead this morning, possibly from a gunshot wound according to police scanners.

[Trillium]

Yes, latest I saw, his death is being investigated as possible suicide

[KiltedPrivateer]

This is very sad. I can't possibly know George's circumstances, but his friends and family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Trillium]

It is sad. He also lost his mayorship on May. For a man used to getting whatever he wants, these were some severe blows. My thoughts do go out to his family and friends. A death is never easy to deal with, no matter the circumstances.

[Trillium]

Suicide has been confirmed. It really is a shame but apparently he had said many times that he would choose his time. He left a very tarnished legacy but we all need to give thanks to him for what he created. If it wasn't for TRF, there may not be as much of a love of Renaissance events as there is now. All of our lives would be very different.

[KiltedPrivateer]

Very true. We do owe him gratitude for what he created here in the Houston area. If it hadn't been for my experience at TRF, who knows how dull my life would have turned out.

[Trillium]

Exactly! I went to TRF the first time when I was 15, we had just moved here. It was an amazing eye opening experience. Faires are my happy place and I'm always excited to be able to share it with friends and family

[KiltedPrivateer]

While we rarely visit New Market Village anymore, it will forever be the catalyst to our family's Rennie ways. I first visited in 2000 at age 24, and was immediately drawn in to the imagination.

Here there be pirates (historically out of place but carousing all the same). And I was hooked. Our daughter grew up in the TRF campgrounds and later the Sherwood campground.

All that said, I am very curious to see what path the new owners take. I wouldn't mind a little back story on them as well.

[Breandan]

Even though it may be some time before I'm able to come back down to Texas, I will be interested to see whether the new owners of TRF take it back to the magic it had in the late 80s into the 90s when I first started going. Be nice if it got a second wind. Sherwood is still primary for me, but I'd be willing to give TRF a chance again. UBER busy up here in Alaska working on getting land and perma-homes for me and the girls, so it may be a few years yet.

[KiltedPrivateer]

Been a long time Breandan. Good to see you on the board again

[groomporter]

https://www.houstonpress.com/arts/opinion-leaving-behind-king-george-at-renfest-20689644
"Opinion: Can RenFest Be Less Pervy Now? "

[KiltedPrivateer]

Interesting take. I've personally never experienced the issues he raises, but I'm certainly not going to say he's wrong. We stopped attending because the campgrounds became a frat boy drug-fest, and the faire proper was over charging for food and drink to the levels of Disney.

We attended closing Saturday last year and didn't come away with an improved experience. Now there is even less green space, prices are still high, pay-to-use lockers (good|bad? Not sure). We didn't experience any good entertainment. The biggest shocker, we didn't see anyone we knew. Although, I think that there was another event that weekend that drew a bunch of Ren folk. So that probably contributed.

All that said, I'm curious about what the new owners will do with the faire. I hope that they have grand plans for enhancements and lower prices.