Interesting Article on the TRF

[Nunyafb]

Here's a link to an interesting article I found from 2003 that tells much of the history of the TRF all the way back to King George's childhood. The article begins by telling about the rumors of Disney one day building a theme park in the Magnolia area. It then proceeds to tell the story of King George's life and the past, present (at the time), and future of the TRF. The article finishes up by going into whether or not the Disney rumor is true.

http://www.doylepublishing.com/countrystyletx/035/035_disney.html

Many here may have already read this article or know all or most of what is told, but for those that don't or are interested in learning more about the TRF, I think it is some very interesting reading.

[Sir Martin]

Thanks for the link, Nunya. The article was very interesting, but I noticed several inaccuracies. The Southern Baptist Convention is not located in Beaumont. Beaumont is not located in Orange County (it is in Jefferson County). And TRF opened its doors in 1975, not 1973. We had discussed this last year and Chris determined that the TRF organization was founded in 1974 (which is why 1974 is on the web site), but the first festival definitely was held in 1975. Still, this was some good reading on King George's background. I knew he had worked in California and helped found the Minnesota renfaire, but I didn't know about his involvement in the one in Salt Lake City. His interest in horticulture is evident because of his building the King's Orchard. Thanks again.

[LADY LESLEY]

That Was Interesting Thanks For The Link

[Norberto]

Thanks for the link, Nunya. The article was very interesting, but I noticed several inaccuracies. The Southern Baptist Convention is not located in Beaumont. Beaumont is not located in Orange County (it is in Jefferson County). And TRF opened its doors in 1975, not 1973. We had discussed this last year and Chris determined that the TRF organization was founded in 1974 (which is why 1974 is on the web site), but the first festival definitely was held in 1975. Still, this was some good reading on King George's background. I knew he had worked in California and helped found the Minnesota renfaire, but I didn't know about his involvement in the one in Salt Lake City. His interest in horticulture is evident because of his building the King's Orchard. Thanks again.

The tour at the end of every Fest day states the fact that Disney has always been a rumor.

[Nunyafb]

Thanks for the link, Nunya. The article was very interesting, but I noticed several inaccuracies. The Southern Baptist Convention is not located in Beaumont. Beaumont is not located in Orange County (it is in Jefferson County). And TRF opened its doors in 1975, not 1973. We had discussed this last year and Chris determined that the TRF organization was founded in 1974 (which is why 1974 is on the web site), but the first festival definitely was held in 1975. Still, this was some good reading on King George's background. I knew he had worked in California and helped found the Minnesota renfaire, but I didn't know about his involvement in the one in Salt Lake City. His interest in horticulture is evident because of his building the King's Orchard. Thanks again.


That Was Interesting Thanks For The Link

You're both welcome.

It's a shame the folks in Utah weren't open minded enough to enjoy the festival. Then again, if King George's festival there would have taken off, it might have changed history so much that the TRF may have never happened.

[Sir Martin]

It's a shame the folks in Utah weren't open minded enough to enjoy the festival. Then again, if King George's festival there would have taken off, it might have changed history so much that the TRF may have never happened.

That's a great point. Let's be glad that he headed our way and created the grandest festival in the world. We are fortunate indeed.

[Nunyafb]

That's a great point. Let's be glad that he headed our way and created the grandest festival in the world. We are fortunate indeed.

Yes, we most definitely are.

[Norberto]

You're both welcome.

It's a shame the folks in Utah weren't open minded enough to enjoy the festival. Then again, if King George's festival there would have taken off, it might have changed history so much that the TRF may have never happened.

I agree Nuny, but Utah does have one. It's down south of Salt Lake City near a University. I know because of a business trip I had to Utah some three years ago when I almost made the trip down to attend. I found that it was about 4 hrs from SLC and just couldn't make it. After some further research, I found that it was no where near the size of our beloved TRF.

[philpot]

Good Article, I think it would be great for Disney to build a theme park, but not around the TRF, lets just say TRF has a special place in my heart !!!!

[Norberto]

Good Article, I think it would be great for Disney to build a theme park, but not around the TRF, lets just say TRF has a special place in my heart !!!!

Well said Philpot! And in mine as well. I'm in for the long run, and I won't miss a year.

[Sir Martin]

I mentioned the inaccuracies in the article, but it was correct in that there have been rumors for many years that Disney was going to build a theme park between Beaumont and Houston. I don't know if we will ever see such a thing, but I'm sure Disney wouldn't let anyone know about it until they had acquired the land.

[Nunyafb]

I agree Nuny, but Utah does have one. It's down south of Salt Lake City near a University. I know because of a business trip I had to Utah some three years ago when I almost made the trip down to attend. I found that it was about 4 hrs from SLC and just couldn't make it. After some further research, I found that it was no where near the size of our beloved TRF.

After checking some of the stats of other festivals around the nation over at R/F, there are very few that can compare in size to TRF both in acreage and attendance. Lucky us!:)

[Nunyafb]

Good Article, I think it would be great for Disney to build a theme park, but not around the TRF, lets just say TRF has a special place in my heart !!!!

Ditto for me!

[Nunyafb]

I mentioned the inaccuracies in the article, but it was correct in that there have been rumors for many years that Disney was going to build a theme park between Beaumont and Houston. I don't know if we will ever see such a thing, but I'm sure Disney wouldn't let anyone know about it until they had acquired the land.

There are even rumors going around my area that Disney will build a park somewhere near here. According to the rumor, the park will be built near the small town of Fulshear which is about 30 miles west of Houston. As far as the rumor being true, I have no idea. I do know that the area around Fulshear is exploding with development and maybe it's like King George said in the article, “It’s the real estate people” who perpetuate the rumors, “to sell property.”

[Sir Martin]

The real estate people sound like a logical source of the rumor. If Disney or King George were planning something, we wouldn't know about it until they were ready to go public with it.

[philpot]

Yea if Disney built anything within 200 miles of Magnolia, I worry about the effect it would have on TRF.

[Sir Martin]

Yea if Disney built anything within 200 miles of Magnolia, I worry about the effect it would have on TRF.

I totally agree. Considering that Disney would be an around the year theme park, it might detract from TRF's gate. IMHO, I would rather have a world class renaissance festival here than a world class amusement park.

[philpot]

Yep thats my point, I don't know why but I think it might be difficult for Disney to replicate the "faire" atmosphere, I am sure they would do a great job on the amusment park end of it.

Wonder if they would have the gorilla . . . . .

[Sir Martin]

Yep thats my point, I don't know why but I think it might be difficult for Disney to replicate the "faire" atmosphere, I am sure they would do a great job on the amusment park end of it.

Tessa and I went to Disney World last year and I noticed something about the characters: the princes and princesses had on very nice costumes, but they did not look as nice as the garb you see at ren faires. I'm not sure if I'm explaining this well, but even though Disney has an enormous budget, the performers (even the human characters) looked like they were dressed in cartoon costumes. They were beautiful, but did not look like the same quality of fabric etc., that the TRF cast wears.

[philpot]

I know what you are talking about, its about "make believe" and looking like it did in the Disney movies rather that what renfest does in re-creating a "New Market Village".