HOUSTON, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Texas Renaissance Festival started here in the western U.S. state of Texas on Saturday, bringing the magic of the renaissance time to life through Nov. 25.

Journey back to old Bavaria, the 44th annual Festival kicked off with the theme of Oktoberfest, where people can participate in Oktoberfest Costume Contest or bratwurst eating contest.

There are nine featured weekends in this season schedule of the festival, which include 1001 Dreams, Barbarian Invasion, Pirate Adventure, Barbarian and Celtic Christmas.

From curated entertainment to the hundreds of artisans and merchants, people from Houston and the whole country marvel at the festival every year as they are captivated by the experience and transported to another time.

The Texas Renaissance Festival, one of the nation's largest and most acclaimed, features world renowned live entertainment, works by master artists and craftspeople, award winning food and drink, hand-powered rides and games, and over 100 interactive characters.

Established in 1974, the event attracts over half a million visitors each year to its 55-acre (over 222,000 square meters) New Market Village and Fields of New Market Camp grounds in Todd Mission, about 80 km northwest of Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States.