HOUSTON, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Texas Renaissance Festival began here in the western U.S. state of Texas on Saturday, bringing the magic of the 16th century to life through Nov. 26.
For the first time in nearly two decades, the 43 year-old festival has added a new themed weekend -- a "Heroes and Villains" weekend -- to the season schedule, for a total of nine themed weekends, which include Pirate Adventure, Barbarian Invasion and Celtic Christmas.
"Something magical happens when patrons enter the Royal Gates at the Festival. From our curated entertainment lineup to the hundreds of artisans and merchants, to the eclectic food and drink options, patrons are captivated by the experience and transported to another time," said Terre Albert, general manager of the Texas Renaissance Festival.
The Texas Renaissance Festival, one of the nation's largest and most acclaimed, will donate a portion of the total proceeds garnered from the entire 2017 season's ticket sales to Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery organizations.
The festival features world renowned live entertainment, works by master artists and craftspeople, award winning food and drink, hand-powered rides and games, and over 100 interactive characters.
An artist from Italy told Xinhua that he has come to the festival for 20 years and found it "is such a joyful and wonderful vacations and it goes by so quickly and there is so much to see."
Established in 1974, the event attracts over half a million visitors each year to its 55-acre (over 222,000 square meters) New Market Village and Fields of New Market Camp grounds in Todd Mission, about 80 km northwest of Houston.
