50 Years of Empanadas: A Festival Vendor's Longest Run
Ligia Revuelta Giles has sold food at the Texas Renaissance Festival since 1976, representing one of two dozen multigenerational families working at the venue.
By Lucas Navarro ·
The Texas Renaissance Festival has operated from Todd Mission for 52 years, making it the nation's second-longest-running event of its kind. With three weekends remaining in the 2026 season, the venue is seeing a high concentration of multigenerational workers. Approximately two dozen families currently participate in the festival as performers, artisans, or vendors, passing roles down through parents, children, and grandchildren.
Ligia Revuelta Giles, known as the Empanada Lady, marks a 50th anniversary at the event. She first visited the festival in its second year with her husband. Months later, she answered an advertisement in The Conroe Courier seeking new businesses. A native of Bolivia, she claimed to be the world's best empanada maker. She began selling the food 50 years ago using a recipe she created from scratch, a formula she has not changed since. Her booth is located in the Spanish Kingdom section of the fair.
Giles is part of a larger family presence at the venue. Her daughter, Sharon, and Sharon's husband operate an eatery in the Polish Kingdom. Giles attributes her longevity to her children, Sharon and Bobby, as well as the festival's late founder, George Coulam. A wishing fountain nearby bears a sign acknowledging her tenure. She notes that regular visitors often share their history with the festival, including one woman who was 10 years old when she first saw Giles and is now 60.
Rob Sinkler has served as the Royal Falconer since 1993. He and his wife, Shannon, began their Birds of Prey show that year after being recruited by director David Casey from the Georgia Renaissance Festival. The couple performs four times daily with a traveling aviary of falcons, owls, and other raptors. Their daughter, Skye, now 16, has participated in the act since childhood. Sinkler said the family remains open to her future involvement, encouraging her to find her own path while supporting her choices.
B.J. Moody has worked at the festival for 43 years, primarily managing the archery range for the Navasota Lions Club. His father was also a Lions Club member, and the family previously ran beer and wine stalls near the Tower Theatre. Moody mentors the children of other club members who volunteer at the booth. The archery range raises funds for the Anderson-Shiro Consolidated Independent School District. Moody said the multigenerational vendors often trade shifts and food, creating a close-knit community where workers recognize one another's long service.
The 2026 season concludes after three more weekends. The presence of families working across generations, such as the Sinklers, the Giles family, and the Moody-led Lions Club group, defines the current workforce. These participants have maintained their roles for decades, ensuring that specific traditions and services continue without interruption.
