A judge in Grimes County ordered the sale of the Texas Renaissance Festival and accompanying properties, upholding a purchase agreement and awarding more than $22 million in damages to prospective buyers. The ruling follows a civil lawsuit alleging the festival's owner withdrew from the $60 million deal set for August 2023.
506th District Judge Gary W. Chaney ruled Wednesday in favor of the plaintiffs, which include RW Lands, Inc., Texas Stargate, Inc., Royal Campground, Inc., and Texas RF, Inc. The judgment orders specific performance under the purchase sales agreements, requiring the properties and assets be sold to the plaintiffs.
The lawsuit named Texas Renaissance Festivals, LLC, Stargate Manor Arboretum, LLC, and festival founder George Coulam as defendants. It stemmed from an alleged breach of a purchase and sale agreement initially reached around April 7, 2023.
Under the terms outlined by the plaintiffs, the agreement involved purchasing the main festival property for $48 million and an adjacent property for $12 million. Buyers claimed they deposited initial payments as required by the contracts.
The plaintiffs stated the agreed-upon closing date was August 8, 2023, but alleged the defendants did not comply with their obligations to complete the transaction on that day.
According to court records, the judge awarded damages to the plaintiffs totaling $22,350,909. The ruling also included $1,000,000 in attorneys' fees, along with interest and costs of court. The attorney for the prevailing party is tasked with preparing the final judgment documents.
The Texas Renaissance Festival is an annual event held in a small town approximately 55 miles northwest of Houston. It has operated for over 50 years and was the subject of a 2024 documentary series.
George Coulam, the festival's founder, recently concluded his tenure as mayor of Todd Mission, the town where the festival is located. A new mayor, Stephen Mensing, was elected and prepares to take office, acknowledging the festival's role as a significant economic driver for the city, providing sales tax revenue used for emergency services.
A representative for the Texas Renaissance Festival previously stated the organization denied all allegations made in the lawsuit and was defending its position through legal channels, declining further comment during the trial.
