This past weekend we went to the Texas Renaissance Festival near Plantersville, Texas which is the largest renaissance fair in the world. Last year we had such a terrible time with traffic that this year, we resolved to get there right when the festival opened in the morning. And since I am such a stickler for schedules and punctuality, we did indeed get there at 9 am on Sunday. Traffic was light and parking was a breeze. We were parked right near the front entrance.

It is difficult to describe exactly what to expect at the festival to someone who has never been. I have been going there since 1985 and it has been growing each year as they erect more buildings and add more attractions. They get about 25,000 people per day, according to the average attendance numbers. They are only open on weekends the second half of October and all of November.

The main attration seems to be the food and shopping. You can spend some serious money on food there and for the most part, the food is very good. Everything from Polish food to Greek food to German food to English pub food. Drink prices are ridiculous but that is to be expected at these sort of events.

And there are lots of costumed people roaming about. For the most part, everyone seems to abide by the dress code of the Renaissance years. But there are always some exceptions. Like the people who come dressed in chains. And nothing else. Not a sight for childrens eyes, let me tell you.

And then we spotted a swamp monster. I am sure there were swamp monsters back during the Renaissance years as well as today, but I didn't think it was particularly fitting with the theme that someone dressed like that for this festival.

The Texas Renaissance Festival website