Rob Salinas/Houston Public Media
A Grimes County judge ordered the owners of the Texas Renaissance Festival to sell their property and assets after overseeing the $60 million deal in 2023.
Last week, the court’s trial took place in a civil lawsuit filed in August 2023. Judge Gary Cheney announced a ruling late Wednesday that ordered the festival to maintain the end of the original sales agreement accused of retreating the festival owner.
In Thursday’s statement Houston Public Media, A spokesperson for the Texas Renaissance Festival said the business will continue as usual and no decisions have been made regarding its potential appeal.
“Our commitment is to provide a safe, vibrant and memorable experience to hundreds of thousands of guests each year,” the spokesman said. “Festival operations are moving forward as planned for the 2025 season.”
File photo
Texas Renaissance FestivalCelebrating the artistic and architectural movement that emerged in Europe after the Middle Ages is the annual fall event that has been held for over 50 years in a small town about 55 miles northwest of Houston. Streamed on Max was the subject of a 2024 documentary series called “Renfair.”
Business RW Lands, Inc., according to the original petition filed in the lawsuit. , Texas Stargate, Inc. and Royal Campground, Inc. sued the Texas Renaissance Festival, which allegedly withdraws from a contract to purchase property, adjacent properties and festival assets for a total of $60 million. The suit appointed George Coolum, founder of the Renaissance Festival, and his other company, Stargate Manor Alvoletum LLC, as defendants in the case.
At his order, Chaney also awarded the plaintiffs more than $22 million in damages and $1 million in legal fees.
The plaintiff’s lawyers were unable to immediately comment on the judge’s decision.
Rob Salinas/Houston Public Media
The lawsuit alleges that Coolum and his company entered into a purchase and sales agreement with the plaintiff on April 7, 2023, selling the main festival property for $48 million and the adjacent property for $12 million.
The plaintiff said he learned that the day before the sale took place, August 7, 2023, and August 7, 2023, that he was likely not approaching the transaction, according to the lawsuit.
“It is true that the deadline of August 8, 2023 was that the defendant came and went without complying with the closure obligation,” the plaintiff allegedly argued in the lawsuit.
The plaintiff allegedly breached the contract and deposited the initial payment upon request for the contract, which insisted that the festival owners must comply with the termination of the transaction.
