Fans of all things medieval should prepare to don their best costumes because the 43rd annual Texas Renaissance Festival is less than two weeks away. The festival runs for two months Sept. 30-Nov. 26, which different themes each weekend. Each weekend features live entertainment, traditional medieval foods, performances, local vendors and different contests and activities related to the weekend theme. The festival is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat.-Sun. and takes place at 21778 FM 1774, Todd Mission. Children’s tickets cost $14.45 online or $15 at the door, and adult tickets cost $26.45 online or $30 at the door. Season tickets and special group rates are also available. This year, the festival features nine themed weekends: 1. Oktoberfest Sept. 30-Oct. 1 The opening weekend of the 2017 Texas Renaissance Festival is set in Bavaria and will feature polka dancing, the Arbor Haus Bier Garten, an Oktoberfest costume contest and a bratwurst-eating contest. 2. 1001 Dreams Oct. 7-8 Set in the magical world of fairies, sprites and elves, festival attendees can enjoy the New Market Village and the Magic Garden, and participate in the Fantasy costume contest or a dragon wing-eating contest. 3. Pirate Adventure Oct. 14-15 Pirate enthusiasts will enjoy this themed weekend, as attendees can search for treasure hidden in the village’s shops, enjoy a drink at the Sea Devil Tavern and compete in the Best-Dressed Pirate contest or in the fish-n-chips eating contest. 4. Roman Bacchanal Oct. 21-22 This large-scale toga party celebrates romance and love and will include shopping and dining at Florence Market, Pizzeria II Fiorno and the Italian Village, as well as a Roman-themed costume contest and a spaghetti-eating contest. 5. All Hallows Eve Oct. 28-29 Celebrate Halloween by dressing in costume and trick-or-treating throughout the village. The weekend will also feature the Slayer’s Castle, a Halloween costume contest and a kettle corn eating contest. 6. Barbarian Invasion Nov. 4-5 This weekend will focus on uncivilized, barbaric fun featuring a turkey leg eating contest, a worst-dressed barbarian costume contest, drinks at the Barbarian Inn and several games and tests of strength and skill. 7. Heroes and Villains Nov. 11-12 
 New for this season, the good and the bad will come together during this weekend of heroes and villains, featuring a costume contest, shopping, entertainment and food and drinks. 8. Highland Fling Nov. 18-19 Set in Scotland, attendees can enjoy a Scotch egg, dance a reel to pipe music of Tartanic or Drones-n-Drums or compete in the Bonnie Knees Costume and the haggis-eating contests 9. Celtic Christmas Nov. 24-26 Celebrate Christmas early with this three-day weekend as the festival grounds transform into a winter wonderland with Christmas trees, holiday music and shops decorated for the holiday season. Children can share their holiday wish list with Father Christmas and his elves, and attendees can participate the holiday costume and pumpkin pie-eating contests. For more information, call 800-458-3435 or click here.