Rob Salinas/Houston Public Media

The Texas Renaissance Festival will host a private memorial Saturday for its late founder, George Coulam, who died earlier this year.

The private, invite-only event will honor Coulam's legacy one week before the Renaissance Festival opens for its 51st annual season. Approximately 1,500 vendors and festival employees are expected to attend the memorial.

"The Texas Renaissance Festival honors the vision of our founder, George Coulam, known as the first ‘King George,' the festival's founder, an accomplished artist and mayor of Todd Mission for 43 years," Tyler Moyer, marketing director of the festival, said in a statement. "This celebration of life reflects his wishes and our commitment to carrying his legacy forward."

Coulam was found dead in his Grimes C

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