The King Is Dead: 5 Shocking Revelations About The Texas Renaissance Festival Lawsuit And Forced Sale

The Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF) is one of the largest and most successful events of its kind globally, but behind the facade of medieval merriment, a dramatic and costly legal saga has unfolded, culminating in a court-ordered forced sale and the recent death of its controversial founder. As of December 23, 2025, the dust is settling on a complex ownership dispute that saw the festival's assets and land mandated to change hands, following a failed $60 million deal and a subsequent judgment awarding tens of millions in damages against the estate of the late George Coulam. This article dives deep into the two major lawsuits that have rocked the foundation of the beloved festival, revealing the financial and personal turmoil that has plagued the kingdom of Todd Mission. The most recent and impactful legal battle centered on the ownership of the sprawling festival grounds and its operations, a dispute that reached a fever pitch following the death of TRF founder George Coulam. The legal proceedings have fundamentally altered the festival’s future, ensuring a new era of management under court-ordered supervision and a massive financial penalty.

The Late King: George Coulam's Profile and Controversies

George Coulam, the charismatic and often controversial founder of the Texas Renaissance Festival, was the undisputed "King" of the event for half a century. His vision transformed a small gathering in 1974 into an annual spectacle attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. However, his life and the festival's operations became the subject of intense legal scrutiny in his final years.

• Full Name: George Coulam
• Role: Founder and former owner of the Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF)
• Other Role: Former Mayor of Todd Mission, Texas (the city where TRF is located)
• Founding Date of TRF: 1974
• Key Lawsuits: Defendant in a high-profile wrongful termination/sexual harassment lawsuit (Toni Ewton) and the central figure in the ownership dispute that led to the festival's forced sale (Meril Rivard).
• Date of Death: Coulam passed away amid the legal turmoil surrounding the festival's ownership.
• Legacy: Built the largest Renaissance Festival in the United States, but his later years were marred by legal and personal controversy.

The Ownership War: Meril Rivard's Lawsuit and the Forced Sale

The most significant legal entanglement facing the Texas Renaissance Festival was an explosive ownership dispute that ultimately led to a Grimes County District Judge ordering the sale of the entire operation. This case was a civil rights lawsuit filed by Meril Rivard, who was the agreed-upon buyer in a previous, failed sale attempt.

1. The Failed $60 Million Deal and Breach of Contract

The core of the recent legal action stems from an agreement where Meril Rivard agreed to purchase the Texas Renaissance Festival and its operations from George Coulam. The initial deal was reportedly valued at $60 million. However, the sale failed to close, triggering a protracted legal battle between Rivard and Coulam's entities. Rivard's legal team, including the firm Hanszen Laporte, pursued a civil rights lawsuit to enforce the purchase agreement and seek damages for the money lost during the dispute.

2. The Judge's Verdict: Sale Ordered and $23 Million in Damages

In a stunning legal blow, Grimes County District Judge Gary W. Chaney ruled in favor of Meril Rivard. The judge upheld the agreement to sell the festival property, ordering its assets and land to be transferred. Furthermore, the court ordered George Coulam to pay over $23 million in damages to cover the losses incurred by the buyer during the two-year legal dispute, including attorneys' fees. This massive financial penalty underscored the severity of the breach of contract and the legal costs associated with the protracted litigation.

3. The Final Judgment and the $15 Million Sale Price

The final judgment on the sale was entered in August 2025, ordering the sale of the festival for a price of $15 million, a significant reduction from the initially reported $60 million deal. This ruling effectively ended the two-year legal battle over the popular event's future. The judgment also included the appointment of special masters by Judge Chaney to oversee the transition and the operations for the upcoming 2025 Texas Renaissance Festival season. This oversight ensures the continuity of the festival while the new ownership structure is fully implemented.

The Previous Storm: Sexual Harassment and Wrongful Termination Allegations

While the ownership dispute dominated recent headlines, the Texas Renaissance Festival was previously embroiled in a separate, high-profile lawsuit concerning workplace conduct and civil rights violations. This case, filed in 2020, shed light on allegations of a toxic work environment under George Coulam's leadership.

Toni Ewton's Lawsuit: Discrimination and Retaliation

In November 2020, Toni Ewton, a former personal assistant to George Coulam, filed a federal lawsuit against the Texas Renaissance Festival and its founder. Ewton, a resident of Conroe, alleged a pattern of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, and retaliation during her employment in 2019 and early 2020. Her claims included:

• Sexual Harassment: Allegations of inappropriate conduct and an uncomfortable work environment.
• Sexual Discrimination: Claims that she was treated differently or unfairly based on her gender.
• Wrongful Termination: The central claim that her employment was terminated improperly, in part due to her complaints or refusal to comply with certain demands.
• Civil Rights Violations: The lawsuit sought damages for violations of her civil rights.

The lawsuit painted a picture of a challenging work dynamic with the festival’s founder, who was also the mayor of Todd Mission. This case was ultimately settled, though the terms of the settlement were not publicly disclosed. The existence of this lawsuit, however, contributed to the broader narrative of legal and operational instability surrounding the Texas Renaissance Festival in the years leading up to the ownership battle.

The Future of the Kingdom: Implications of the Legal Battles

The two major lawsuits—the settled wrongful termination case and the dramatic ownership dispute—have had profound and lasting implications for the Texas Renaissance Festival. The legal actions have not only resulted in a change of ownership but have also highlighted the need for greater corporate governance and a shift away from the single-person control that defined the festival for decades. The court-ordered sale to Meril Rivard, overseen by special masters, signals a new chapter for the event. The immense financial judgment of over $23 million serves as a stark warning about the consequences of breaching major business agreements. For fans and vendors, the biggest question is how the new ownership will honor the festival's traditions while ensuring a stable and legally compliant operation moving forward. The legal battles may have been costly and controversial, but they have forced a necessary reckoning that will define the Texas Renaissance Festival for the next fifty years. The new era promises a festival that, while perhaps less eccentric, is hopefully more resilient and professionally managed.

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