Today we’d like to introduce you to Lark Mason III.
Hi Lark, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The New Braunfels Renaissance Faire grew from a desire to do more for our community. Our owners, Lark and Izzy Mason, and Alina Ball desired to help our local non-profits have an opportunity to raise funds at a time that is otherwise slow and to bring more people to New Braunfels outside of the tubing season.
Renaissance faires are incredible events. We strive to keep the entire faire family friendly, focusing on the Christmas season with hand selected and vetted vendors, more than 80 acts a day on one of our seven stages, and a fantastic and magical selection of actors and activities scattered across the 11 acre site.
Creating a safe space for adults to be kids and for kids to be characters is our goal, a place where everyone feels welcome and can experience the joy of spending a weekend as a Christmas elf, a monk, a mage, a knight, or just as a person who likes having fun!
Our event boast more than 12,000 attendees and this year we expect that number to grow!
Come join us December 4-6 and 11-13, 2026.
Shoot an arrow, meet St. Nikolaus, and watch a joust at New Braunfels Renaissance Faire.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As a festival or fair runner will tell you, the event management path is not an easy one. We have been incredibly blessed in our volunteers and communities acceptance and assistance in helping us to make the first two weekends of December, the most magical in Texas.
Keeping our ticket prices down has been worth the strain. We charge $20 and all kids (YES ALL) 11 and younger get in for free. As the closest renaissance faire to San Antonio, and the closest to most of Austin it is truly a joy to make an event that both boasts a high level of entertainment and a price that makes it accessible for all to attend but it isn’t easy!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
During the renaissance faire, Lark is the Lord of the Forest (keeping operations running), Alina is the Countess d’Moné (keeping track of all of the coin of the realm), and Izzy is the Court Artist (painting all of the signage across the grounds).
Outside of the Renaissance Faire:
Lark and Izzy Mason own and run their own art studio featuring Izzy’s art. Izzy is a fabulous artist. She paints watercolors of Japanese landscapes in the style of Japanese woodblock prints, with hidden anime characters in the scene. She also creates sumo and anime themed designs that she carves with Lark into woodblocks that they then stamp on t-shirts and washi paper and sell at various comic cons and markets.
Lark is also an Asian art expert, appearing in that capacity as an expert on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow. Both Lark and Izzy work with several non-profits in New Braunfels focused on the arts.
Alina Ball proudly served in our countries army and since has pursued a career working with the Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture. She has just decided to move on and has been accepted into the doctoral program at Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Alina’s love is in supporting local non-profit organizations and she is a member of the l0cal German choir.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
When starting out in any business make a clear plan. Find the areas that you lack, the areas that you need support in, and the areas at which you excel. Be honest and humble and find support for the areas in which you need it.
Do the math. If you treat businesses like a bake sale you cannot fail. Plan for the worst day and calculate accurately costs against your income. If you can do this you can succeed.
Finally, don’t be selfish. When you seek to benefit your community your community will bless you. Whether this is partnering with local NPO’s or schools for community days, or just giving financially, you will find that if you plan this when you have nothing, it is easy to give when you have everything.
Pricing:
- Tickets $20
- Early bird tickets will be available starting in September
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nbrenfaire.com
- Instagram: @nbrenfaire
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbrenfaire/
