The weekend of November 4th and 5th at the Texas Renaissance Festival was themed as Heroes & Villains, which is a Cosplay event.
I arrived early again and was first at the gate when it was opened.
I enjoy getting to the festival early and seeing the day unfold.
Being first has its’ perks.
I’ve been parking on row 6 and that is close enough for me. It’s just a short walk to the entrance plaza.
I’ve never arrived later in the day to experience this long walk from way back there. It seems like a mile long walk from the higher numbered parking rows.
As I was walking up, I saw Robert Self and Willie. Robert was first from the South side and gets to park in the preferred parking.
Two great guys.
One benefit of arriving early is that there is never a line to get a photo on the throne. I’m usually the first person to do this each weekend day.
The plants had been watered but the trash bags weren’t put out yet.
I stepped inside the gates with Robert to grab a drink. He got hot apple cider and I chose hot chocolate. Maddie is a great server.
On a chilly morning, hot chocolate is great.
I was the bad cop again on this day. When is a bad cop good?
When you can’t be good, be good at it.
This veteran said he was the most dangerous person on the battlefield. He said that he carried the maps and radio, which meant that he could call in airstrikes.
With Ace and Willie, two really great guys that love their job.
The Beefeaters are always happy to pose for me and I like that.
The Royal Guard are some busy fellows.
The King works them hard.
On this day, they were dog-tired and in need of a quick rest.
It’s a good thing that the King didn’t catch them lying down on the job.
These ladies sell programs.
On this morning, Captain Hook would be igniting the cannon to start the day at TRF.
Here is a still frame of the firing.
And here is the video of the cannon going off.
Sherry is always so cheerful.
I learned more about those purple, red and yellow badges that certain people wear at TRF. Phil Brayton mentioned that they mean a person is allowed to receive tips for photos and Sherry told me that the badge means that the wearer is a performer.
King Henry the VIII and the Royal Guard.
When the gates open and patrons enter, the TRF photographers are there to capture their photos.
Elizabeth always has fun with her job.
I ran into Kevin, a favortie pirate of mine. He’s such a nice guy and so well-dressed.
The morning ceremony is always fun to watch.
A pic with Hamish MacGregor aka Rudy, the bagpipe player.
I’ve photographed this couple before and they always look fantastic.
Such good makeup.
I think the nose makes everything else work.
The King and Queen greeting their subjects.
The patrons really enjoy the morning festivities.
Jade is always so well made up.
One of the most beautiful people at the TexRenFest.
On this day, John Pfister, from Action 5 News Houston, joined me for the day in the Kingdom.
I asked these ladies if they had seen their previous photos that I had taken of them. They told me that they didn’t make the cut. I was confused by this so I asked them what that meant.
They told me that their co-worker went on Instagram and didn’t see their pics. I explained to them that I can only post a few pics on IG and that their photos were on the website. I’m sure that they were upset when they thought I didn’t use their pics. We had a good laugh about that and I told them to set their co-worker straight, lol.
The Kettle Korn is very good.
Three bills for a dill.
These two lovely ladies work at the Polish Pub.
So does Edyta, Kasia and Cheyenne.
Baubles sells great cigars and looks great doing so.
I finally found the Chimney Cake booth. It’s number 14EF.
They have several things to choose from.
The first thing is to make the dough into strips then roll it around the cooking rods.
Next, the cooking rods are placed over the coals for cooking.
After cooking to a golden brown, the chimney cakes are covered in cinnamon and nuts.
The chimney cakes can be filled with whipped cream or ice cream. Another choice for the customer is strawberries or apple strudel. They also serve a chimney cake with Nutella.
This dessert photographs so well and looks delicious.
John enjoyed his chimney cake and would have it again.
We stopped by the ‘Become a Blacksmith’ shop.
Here, you could make a knife.
They had a lot of people watching the process.
Everyone doing it were having a good time.
Snapped a pic of the King as he was out and about in the Kingdom.
Jessica and Stephanie always look so nice.
Remi and Karlee photograph well also.
Julie looked great as Maleficent.
One of my favorite stops.
Elizabeth, Hannah and Amber.
Another favorite stop on my morning route.
These ladies were nice enough to hold up some of their food.
Beignets, cheese bread and bread pudding. It all looked so delicious.
I have an interview scheduled with these beautiful ladies for this next weekend.
Where’s Waldo?
Haley is another TRF Beauty.
And she’s always ready for a pic, which I appreciate.
I had the stone-fired pizza again on this Saturday.
So, so delicious. Yum.
Renaissance Iron Man and Loki. I have a better pic of them coming up.
Another of the children’s attractions.
All of the shows at the TexRenFest draw large crowds and they all leave feeling entertained.
Here is a favorite pic of mine. Notice that I captured 100% of their outfits. Some people will take a photo and cut off the feet. I think the footwear is important in garb or a costume and should be shown.
A pic with Greg and Kara from Catskill Mountain Moccasins.
My daily pic with Erika from the Asgardian Armory.
Erika and Alex.
A good look.
That’s a lot of green. She looks good.
Here is the other pic of the Renaissance Avengers. Another 100% pic.
After I take a full body photo, I take a mid-range pic as well.
These ladies looked great in their black outfits.
This couple was having a great time and I’m sure that they loved this photo.
June, looking fun as usual.
The crowd for this Saturday was a good size.
The Kingdom had thousands of fun-loving people in it.
They were eating, drinking, smiling, laughing and enjoying the day in New Market Village.
If I had to pic a highlight of the day it would be finding the chimney cake booth.
These photos were taken from the Tea and Strumpets patio.
This spot is a favorite of mine for a photo.
Another fun group arriving at the festival.
Steadily coming in as I was leaving.
I don’t post attendance numbers but this day saw many thousands attend the Texas Renaissance Festival.
When I got to my Tahoe, there were four police officers waiting on me to talk to me about impersonating an officer. Just kidding. They were parked there to watch people arrive and were happy to move so I could leave.
This concludes the Saturday pics. Sunday is next.
On Sunday, I arrived early again.
I could hear the blowers cleaning the entrance plaza. They make a cloud of dust for a bit.
As I was putting on my gear, the water truck passed by.
TRF waters down the path so it is not so dusty for the patrons.
Each morning, several workers walk the path and parking areas to clean up. They always do a great job because it always looks so clean.
The valet parking is located right next to the entrance plaza. Such a close walk.
I plan on entering this contest. I would love a free European vacation.
These gates see many thousands of guests each season. Some estimates are that the TexRenFest entertains 500,000 a season.
It was a bit foggy on this Sunday morning.
TRF Founder, George Coulam. A great man that has entertained millions.
Good info to know about King George.
Willie was out waiting for the first patron of the day.
Ace snapped my morning throne pic for me.
A good pic of the Beefeaters.
Willie, Spider and Ace.
The Royal Guard undergoing a morning inspection by a patron.
The guests love doing this.
All quiet before a busy day.
If the TexRenfest has 500,000 attendees, then each of these 6 gates will see 83,333 people during the 8 weekends.
I got a pic of Rudy before he was going out to entertain the patrons that were waiting for the gates to open.
The morning cannon crew and myself.
Alan getting the cannon ready.
Here is a still frame of the cannon firing.
And here is the video of it.
The Royal Guard.
The program vendors. I know Zak, Aislynn, Stormy and Rob.
A pic with the Royal Guard. Such fun guys.
A photobomb.
Captain Hook, looking splendid.
A Renaissance Wonder Woman, very cool.
“You shall not pass.”
Glinda, the good. Beautiful.
Fun ladies enjoying their roles.
Mel works in the Marketing department. Here he is with an expensive camera, capturing the morning ceremony.
The dance always looks fun.
A good way to start a day in the Kingdom.
A pic with MJ of Ravenswood Leather.
Some good yard bird.
I hope they found their pics on the website.
Karlee is another Renfest Beauty.
Elizabeth and Amber always dress for the theme and look great.
Fernanda and Tonya.
I asked them to hold some of their food.
This is the crawfish Mac and cheese, and the fried crawfish with cheese fries. Both look delicious.
Haley works at the Red Lion Tavern. Stop by for a pic.
Later in the season, I’ll make special galleries on the website that has just the Red Lion Tavern pics. I do that for several of the places that I photograph regularly.
I passed back by the Steak on a Stick booth and Tonya let me try their main item, the steak.
This is one of my favorite things to eat while at TRF.
I ran into Alexandra again this season. So beautiful.
I was glad to get a pic with her.
Remi and Karlee photograph well.
I would have loved this as a child. If I did this now, I’d be in traction for 2 months.
I stopped by Odin’s Table for some pics.
Lolo looked fantastic.
Another very photogenic lady at TRF.
The bar at Odin’s Table is very cool.
A fun pic of Haley.
Odin’s Table will be a regular stop for me from now on.
One guy said, “Not in that order” and I agree.
The Thirsty Pirate Pub.
Another fun attraction for children.
Pirate Airships.
Pam works at the Bilge Pump bar at the Sea Devil Tavern.
Kay, looking splendid.
All the Mead you need.
A fun couple.
The King posing with a nice family.
Two more great performers.
A well-dressed couple.
Some fun games to try.
I’m not smart enough for this.
Maybe checkers.
This family was enjoying this game.
“Alas, poor Yorick.”
A great patio to grab a drink and relax.
A good photo op.
Two fantastic costumes.
And beautiful smiles.
Ronnie may be the most in shape person that works at TRF.
How is she squatting like that? If I did that my knees would sound like cereal… snap, crackle and pop.
Mindy works at Ye Olde Portraits and is so very nice.
A great looking guest.
Love it.
Erika and I.
Alex and I.
Sunday had a good crowd of people.
June and Shane are always up for a photo.
I wonder how many Turkey legs are sold each weekend. I bet it’s a lot.
The same goes for bottles of Mead.
The crowd for Sunday is always a little smaller than Saturday but still in the thousands.
I enjoy the view from the Tea and Strumpets patio.
This group was a lot of fun and I enjoyed getting their photo.
This is the best Steampunk couple that I’ve ever photographed.
The TRF photographers were still hard at work capturing memories for the arriving patrons.
Jessica was ready to stamp your hand if you were returning that day.
This is the booth where the guests can pick up the photos taken by the TRF photographers.
I had another good day in the Kingdom.
The throne is always busy.
Only three weekends left to enjoy the Texas Renaissance Festival for this year.
Rob was selling programs on the walkway leading to the festival. A really nice guy.
Still arriving by the hundreds.
No police officers today.
This concludes the blog post about the Heroes & Villains weekend. To see all of the photos, visit the link below and click on Photos.
