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Renaissance faires date back decades in America. It was 1963 when Los Angeles schoolteacher Phyllis Patterson held a very small Renaissance fair as a class activity, in the backyard of her home in the Hollywood Hills. She wanted an immersive event to teach a class about medieval times. Her and her husband went on to host the Renaissance Pleasure Faire of Southern California that drew thousands of people.
Many know the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, which draws more than 500,000 per year.
Closer to home, Ford Park will host a unique fest of its own – Southeast Texas Renaissance Faire – on May 13-14, May 20-21, and May 27-28, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Turn back the hands of time and immerse yourself in the Village of Songwood.
“Renaissance faires are a unique form of entertainment,” said Richard Doss, sales and marketing manager of Ford Park Entertainment Complex. “They take attendees back to medieval times while offering a one-of-a-kind blend of artists, musicians, actors, food vendors and circus performers.”
This event will help draw people from around the state, which will lead to additional economic impact for the entire region, Doss added.
“Any time that we can bring in a new event for the people of Southeast Texas is a win,” said Doss.
This is the second event for Southeast Texas Renaissance Faire, LLC, a group that held the first annual faire in May last year in Lumberton.
“Approximately 3,000 people showed between the two weekends,” said Brandon Hammock, the group’s general manager. “In response, our company bought 25 acres in Call Junction to create a permanent location for the fall Renaissance Festival, which is still under development.”
Hammock explained they have cleared land, hooked up power, water along with building infrastructure and creating roads. Hoping to open last November, weather played a major part in delaying the project.
It was during the group’s “Pirate Festival” pitch to Ford Park that the May festival was born.
“We wanted just a one-weekend promo kind of a deal,” Hammock said. “And they suggested we do the May festival out here as well. We went out back and walked the 2 acres. It is all undercover, plus a little bit of the parking lot and stuff around the outside were available. There is also flushing restrooms and a covered pavilion to prevent rain outs. It is ideal for the circumstances.”
The agriculture pavilions that are located behind Ford Arena will be transformed into The Village of Songwood, Hammock said.
“The Village of Songwood is a fantastical blend of markets, interactive role players and musicians,” Hammock said. “The market offers wares that range from turkey legs and teas to costume boutiques and local art. The Houston Hoarde, interactive role players are full-contact fighting knights, will use weapons such as swords, axes and maces.”
On the mainstage, Cirque La Ve, a Houston-based circus of acrobats, will perform fantastic feats for the audience.
“Cirque La Ve performers consist of ground artists, acrobats, stilt walkers and aerial artists,” said Hammock. “The performers will walk around the festival while doing circus tricks to pump a party or do photo ops with guests and they contribute to the overall Songwood experience.”
Tickets to the Southeast Texas Renaissance Faire are available online at fordpark.com. Prices start at $7.50 for kids (7-12) and $20 for adults.
The event is family and service-animal friendly.
“The wonderful people associated with Southeast Texas Renaissance Faire are passionate about bringing in a quality event that the whole family can enjoy,” said Doss. “We look forward to being partners with them and growing the event each year moving forward. Renaissance faires are very popular across different areas of Texas, and we feel that the Golden Triangle deserves its own.”
Doss added that Ford Park is committed to offering a variety of festivals to the community.
“Our goal is to continue to provide a variety of diverse entertainment all year long,” said Doss. “We have something for everyone here over the next few months ranging from wrestling to concerts such as Ted Nugent and Parker McCollum, plus other events soon to be announced.”
Ford Park is located at 5115 Interstate 10 South in Beaumont.
-Sierra Kondos, Contributing Writer