The Texas Renaissance Festival Kicks off Opening Weekend with Oktoberfest Celebration Sponsored by Bud Light

October 6 - 7, 2012 from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

TODD MISSION, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The royal gates of the Texas Renaissance Festival, the nation’s largest and most acclaimed festival of its kind, will open on Saturday, October 6, 2012 for the 38^th annual festival season, celebrating in true fall fashion with the Oktoberfest celebration, sponsored by Bud Light.

The highly anticipated 2012 festival season will kick off with the German themed celebration held Saturday, October 6 – Sunday, October 7, 2012. During the weekend, festival attendees will dress in their best lederhosen and dirndls and journey to Bavaria and the Black Forest to celebrate in the spirit of Deutschland with tasty German food, beer, music and dancing.

Guests can participate in the various contests taking place throughout the weekend, which include a Polka Dancing Competition and Bavarian Stein-Holding Contest. Oktoberfest would not be complete without a Bratwurst Eating Contest, a challenge for even the hungriest of barbarians. All first place contest winners will receive a Texas Renaissance Festival season pass.

The Texas Renaissance Festival celebrates a new theme each festival weekend. Below is a complete list of each theme for the 2012 festival season:

• Oktoberfest – Sponsored by Bud Light
  • October 6 – 7, 2012
• 1001 Dreams – Sponsored by Top Dog Halloween Madness
  • October 13 – 14, 2012
• Pirate Adventure – Sponsored by Top Dog Halloween Madness
  • October 20 – 21, 2012
• All Hallow’s Eve – Sponsored by Top Dog Halloween Madness
  • October 27 - 28, 2012
• Roman Bacchanal
  • November 3 – 4, 2012
• Barbarian Invasion – Sponsored by Theater Under the Stars
  • November 10 – 11, 2012
• Highland Fling – Sponsored by Denny’s
  • November 17 – 18, 2012
• Celtic Christmas – Sponsored by Spring Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram and Northside Fiat
  • November 23 – 25, 2012

For more information about Oktoberfest and contests, please visit www.texrenfest.com/themed-weekends/oktoberfest. For more information about the Texas Renaissance Festival themed weekends, please visit www.texrenfest.com/themed-weekends.

About Texas Renaissance Festival:

The Festival is held Saturdays, Sundays and Thanksgiving Friday. The Texas Renaissance Festival is located 50 miles northwest of Houston on more than 55 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds on FM 1774, between Magnolia and Plantersville, Texas. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.texrenfest.com or follow us on Facebook/Twitter.