Take a look back at the Texas Renaissance Festival of yore

PHOTOS: Texas Renaissance Festival through the years

For its fortieth anniversary the Texas Renaissance Festival released a handful of photos from its earliest days on the grounds. As you can see, not much has changed beyond the hairstyles. less PHOTOS: Texas Renaissance Festival through the years

For its fortieth anniversary the Texas Renaissance Festival released a handful of photos from its earliest days on the grounds. As you can see, not much has ... more Photo: Texas Renaissance Festival Photo: Texas Renaissance Festival Image 1 of / 45 Caption Close Take a look back at the Texas Renaissance Festival of yore 1 / 45 Back to Gallery

Last week we told you about a few new bells and whistles coming to the 55-acre Texas Renaissance Festival, including weekly parties on Saturday nights and new and improved cellphone service courtesy of two new cell towers going up in the area.



Among the photos released by the RenFest brass of the new work being done to the grounds was a cache of vintage shots from the fest's 40-year history. Things have sure changed in Todd Mission over the decades, but the sense of whimsy has always remained. The festival is one of the biggest attractions in Texas in the fall and every year more people flock to it for food, performances and fun.



The festival has a long history of hosting acts before they hit the big time.



The comedy/magic duo Penn and Teller performed in the late '70s doing their juggling and fire-eating act, not too different from what they still do. The only difference is that Teller had more hair and Penn was a bit smaller. Actor and magician Harry Anderson of TV's "Night Court" also worked at the park mingling among patrons at one point.



We're all still holding out for a "Game of Thrones" weekend at RenFest.