The King Is Dead: 5 Shocking Details Of The $60 Million Texas Renaissance Festival Lawsuit And Forced Sale

The Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF), a beloved institution and one of the largest Renaissance faires in the world, has been at the center of a dramatic and complex legal battle for the past two years, culminating in a forced sale and the passing of its legendary founder, George C. Coulam. As of December 2025, the dust is settling on the $60 million lawsuit that permanently ended the reign of "King George" and ushered in a new era for the 51-year-old festival. This is the deepest dive into the legal saga, the shocking ruling, and the new ownership that now controls the fate of the faire.

The civil case, filed in August 2023, revolved around a bitter dispute over a failed sales agreement, ultimately leading a Grimes County judge to mandate the sale of the entire operation. The legal fallout was swift, resulting in a massive judgment for the plaintiffs and a complete change of command for the iconic annual event. The final judgment and the subsequent events have reshaped the future of the festival, ensuring the 2025 season and beyond will proceed under new leadership.

The Life and Legacy of 'King George' George C. Coulam

The central figure in the Texas Renaissance Festival lawsuit was its founder and longtime owner, George C. Coulam, known to many as "King George." His life was as colorful and dramatic as the festival he created.

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• Full Name: George C. Coulam
• Born: May 2, 1937
• Died: May 21, 2025
• Role: Founder and onetime owner of the Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF).
• Co-Founding: Co-founded the festival in 1974 with his brother, David Coulam.
• Political Role: He was the mayor of the town he incorporated, Todd Mission, Texas, where the festival is located.
• Nickname: Widely known as "King George" by staff and long-time festivalgoers.
• Legacy: His reign officially ended with the forced sale of the festival, just weeks before his death at the age of 87.

1. The Core of the Dispute: A Breach of Contract

The massive legal battle was rooted in a straightforward but costly allegation: a breach of contract. The prospective buyer, Meril Rivard, and his associated corporate entities—RW Lands, Inc., Texas Stargate, Inc., and Royal Campground, Inc.—sued Coulam and his entities, Texas Renaissance Festivals, LLC, and Stargate Manor Arboretum, LLC.

The plaintiffs argued that Coulam had reneged on an agreed-upon sale of the festival and its assets. The initial agreement for the purchase of the Renaissance property, assets, and nearby property was made in April 2023. The plaintiffs contended that an initial payment they had made required Coulam to uphold his end of the agreement, which he allegedly failed to do, leading to the lawsuit.

The legal action sought not only to enforce the sale but also to recover significant financial damages due to the failed closing and the prolonged dispute. The case was heard in the 506th State District Court.

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2. The Stunning Judicial Ruling: Forced Sale and $23 Million in Damages

In a devastating blow to the founder, Grimes County District Judge Gary W. Chaney ruled decisively in favor of the plaintiffs. The ruling, issued after several days of testimony, mandated the sale of the Texas Renaissance Festival and its associated properties.

The judgment was twofold:

• Forced Sale: Judge Chaney ordered George Coulam to sell the festival and its operations to Meril Rivard. The sale was upheld as a $60 million transaction for the property and assets.
• Monetary Damages: Coulam was ordered to pay the plaintiffs over $23 million in total, which included $22 million in damages and an additional $1 million in attorney's fees.

The order to sell the festival, effectively stripping the founder of the business he had built since 1974, was the most significant outcome of the litigation. This ruling paved the way for the deal to finally go through, officially ending "King George's" long reign.

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3. The Shocking Aftermath: The Passing of George Coulam

The drama surrounding the Texas Renaissance Festival lawsuit took a tragic and shocking turn just weeks after the judge's monumental ruling. George Coulam, 87, was found dead in his home in Todd Mission, Texas, on May 21, 2025.

His death came shortly after the court ordered him to sell the business he had dedicated his life to creating and growing into an international attraction. The timing of his passing, so close to the forced end of his ownership, added a profound and somber note to the legal saga, ensuring the story of the TRF’s transition would be remembered as one of the most dramatic in the history of Renaissance faires.

4. The New Rulers: Meril Rivard and the Future of the Faire

The new owner, Meril Rivard, and his entities have officially taken the helm, ensuring the continuation of the festival. While the identity of the buyer was a mystery for some time, court documents eventually confirmed the corporate entities involved, and Rivard's name surfaced as the main principal.

The transition has been overseen by the court, with a Grimes County judge appointing special masters to ensure the smooth operation of the festival throughout the change of ownership. This move was put in place to protect the continuity of the event, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The new ownership group has expressed a commitment to preserving the tradition and spirit of the event. They have indicated plans to keep the festival mostly unchanged, recognizing the unique culture and immense popularity of the Texas Renaissance Festival.

What the New Owners Plan to Keep (and Change)

The new leadership is focused on maintaining the core experience while potentially modernizing certain aspects of the operation:

• Tradition Intact: The new owners plan to maintain the existing schedule, themes, and overall atmosphere that festivalgoers have loved for decades.
• Operational Continuity: Despite the legal tangles, the festival's management is focused on ensuring the event continues seamlessly, including the 2025 season and beyond its 51st year.
• Investment: While specific details are forthcoming, the new ownership’s commitment to the massive $60 million purchase price suggests a long-term investment strategy to grow and sustain the "Renaissance faire."

5. The Final Tally: Damages, Assets, and the End of an Era

The financial scale of the lawsuit underscores the immense value and complexity of the Texas Renaissance Festival enterprise. The final judgment confirmed the forced sale of the property and its assets, which included not only the festival grounds but also Stargate Manor Arboretum, LLC.

The $22 million in damages awarded to the plaintiffs, RW Lands, Inc., Texas Stargate, Inc., and Royal Campground, Inc., was a direct penalty for the breach of contract. The court's decision to enforce the sale, coupled with the substantial damages, serves as a powerful legal precedent regarding complex business sales and founder disputes in Texas.

The legal saga has officially ended the era of "King George," turning the page on one of the most successful and longest-running Renaissance festivals. The event is now firmly under new ownership, ready to embark on its next chapter while grappling with the weighty legacy of its founder and the dramatic circumstances of its forced transition.