By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
Del Rio’s first renaissance festival is happening this weekend, Oct. 12 and 13, at the Whitehead Memorial
Museum.
The Del Rio Renaissance Faire invites participants to dress up in costumes and enjoy a festive
time in the theme of the European renaissance time periods from the 1500s – 1800s.
The event is being put together by Nathan Villarreal, his wife Haven Mancha, Marcus Costilla
and Kasandra Alfaro.
Villarreal said he enjoys going to renaissance fairs out of town, and he wanted to bring a version
of it to Del Rio. He said, “The town could use another amazing event like this one.”
The fair will be a two-day event on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct.
13, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Villarreal said the event is “family-friendly.” Admissions will be $5 at the door, and children under
five and seniors over 65 are free to enter.
Three contests will be held at the festival during both days. There will be two costume contests
based on renaissance themes and fashion – one for children 15 and younger, and the other for
older teens and adults. Organizers are also planning a beard contest, also to be held on both
days, which will judge natural facial hair based on length, style and quality.
Local carpenter, Myles Kent Jakubowski, will do a presentation on the making of spinning
wheels on Saturday and Sunday, and the Upstagers theater group will be doing demo
performances on Sunday of their fall production: “Barbecuing Hamlet.”
Food will be available from local vendors, including Filipino food from DG Delicious Gracious
and barbecue from Primos BBQ.
