In 2018, the Shadow Renaissance Festival, or Shadow RenFest was inaugurated as a local fundraising event for Shadow Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center, a Hopkins County therapeutic horseback riding facility which had been in existence for almost a decade. With over 3,500 persons attending that first year, the concept of a local Renaissance Festival was definitely a hit. So in July 2019, the second annual Shadow RenFest provided an enhanced event, both as a fundraiser and a”fun-raiser” for the entire community! The success was brought about by a small band of people with loyal friends and some Texas-size ideas! And the ultimate goal was to raise funds to provide Shaw Ranch a full year of operating funds as well as to create a nest egg toward plans for the 2020 Festival.
To provide a little history, founders of the Shadow Ranch center struggled during the first few years, but never doubted that their cause was inspired. Sure enough, through a change in location and finally ownership of the new ranch property, arms began to open wide as well as doors. In time, patron, sponsor, volunteer and donor lists began to expand, ensuring that the non-profit could continue in it’s efforts to lend capable assistance and even increase it’s services to handicapped and disadvantaged children, adults and military veterans through the unique horseback therapy.
In an e-mail message from RenFest organizers, the Renaissance Festival was a success! “Just look on any social media platform and see the out pour of love and support from the people who came this weekend! 65 vendors, 35 cast members, entertainment and a Full Armor Combat! People raved about how they absolutely enjoyed the Full Armor Combat! It was a beautiful weekend! As for next year, yes! but we will need a couple of weeks to rest and recharge before we can even begin to think about planning for the 2020 Festival. All the board members were pleased with everything and the community seemed to take to our festival as if it had always been here! We are so thankful for the support of this community and we look forward to the years of memories our small Renaissance Festival created❤️
