The founding father of the Texas Renaissance Pageant, George Coulam, was discovered lifeless at his house, in accordance with Grimes County Sheriff Donald Sowell.
TODD MISSION, Texas — George Coulam, the founding father of the Texas Renaissance Pageant and a determine central to its 50-year historical past, has reportedly been discovered lifeless in his house, in accordance with Grimes County Sheriff Donald Sowell.
The sheriff stated he was notified concerning the loss of life at 9 a.m. and is not certain how Coulam died.
Coulam, referred to as “King George” to many longtime festivalgoers, based the pageant in 1974 and led it to change into one of many largest and most iconic Renaissance-themed occasions in the US.
In a press release, the Texas Renaissance Pageant stated Coulam “constructed a neighborhood that has change into a cherished custom for generations of performers, employees and friends.”
Authorized battle over the Texas Ren Fest
The reported improvement comes simply weeks after a main authorized ruling ordered the sale of the pageant following a civil lawsuit. A Grimes County decide dominated in favor of a bunch of potential patrons who stated Coulam had backed out of a $60 million settlement to promote the pageant and surrounding properties after accepting a down cost and shutting prices.
The decide ordered the sale to proceed and awarded the plaintiffs – RW Lands, Texas Stargate, and Royal Campground – $22 million in damages and $1 million in authorized charges. Pageant officers have said that operations for the 2025 season will proceed as deliberate, with a dedication to sustaining the occasion’s legacy.
The Texas Renaissance Pageant, which runs yearly for six weekends every fall in Todd Mission, attracts a whole lot of 1000’s of tourists and has change into a cultural staple in Texas.
Pageant’s Response to His Loss of life
Learn the pageant’s full assertion:
“We’re deeply saddened by the lack of George Coulam, founding father of the Texas Renaissance Pageant. For greater than 50 years, he constructed a neighborhood that has change into a cherished custom for generations of performers, employees, and friends.
“Presently, we ask for respect and privateness for Mr. Coulam’s household and the prolonged Texas Renaissance Pageant household as they grieve. As it is a deeply private matter, we aren’t providing extra feedback right now.”
Meril Rivard, president Texas RF, Inc., shared a press release studying:
“We’re shocked and deeply saddened to listen to of the loss of life of George Coulam. Our ideas exit to his family members. Like everybody else who loves the Texas Renaissance Pageant, we stay dedicated to making sure that the pageant lives on, and we’re working steadfastly to make that occur.”
This can be a growing story. Verify again for updates.