Texas Renaissance Festival founder George Coulam dies

George Coulam, who founded the Texas Renaissance Festival and served as first mayor of Todd Mission, died May 21, according to a May 21 news release from the city of Todd Mission.

Coulam was found deceased in his home, and the cause of death is under investigation by the Todd Mission Police Department, the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Rangers, according to the news release.

Some context

Coulam founded the Texas Renaissance Festival in 1974, and incorporated the city of Todd Mission in 1982, according to the news release. He also served as Todd Mission’s first and only mayor until May 8.

In 2024, the Texas Renaissance Festival—which offers a recreation of a 16th-century European village with various attractions, vendors and entertainment—celebrated 50 years, Community Impact previously reported.

In case you missed it

On May 7, Grimes County District Judge Gary W. Chaney ordered the sale of the Texas Renaissance Festival along with over $23 million in damages and attorneys’ fees awarded to the plaintiffs following a lawsuit filed against the festival, Community Impact previously reported.

What they’re saying

• “The city of Todd Mission offers its deepest condolences to Mr. Coulam’s family and friends. We request privacy for those affected and will provide updates as appropriate,” Todd Mission officials said via news release.
• “We are deeply saddened by the loss of George Coulam, founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival. For more than 50 years, he built a community that has become a cherished tradition for generations of performers, staff, and guests. At this time, we ask for respect and privacy for Mr. Coulam’s family and the extended Texas Renaissance Festival family as they grieve,” Texas Renaissance Festival officials said in a May 21 Facebook post.