Welcome to the Texas Renaissance Festival, the largest in the world. King George Coulam, its 86-year-old founder, has ruled over his subjects with an iron fist for decades. With his mental acuity in question and his retirement imminent, the future of the festival remains uncertain. General manager Jeff Baldwin believes he is next in line to succeed, until kettle-corn kingpin Louie Migliaccio hatches a plan to buy the festival outright.

King George goes on an unsuccessful date. Jeff struggles to thwart Louie's bid for the crown. Darla Smith, a former elephant trainer, enters the fray with an agenda of her own.

Jeff gains the upper hand over Louie. Darla's promotion to co-General Manager leads to disastrous consequences, for both Jeff and herself. George finally lands on the only successor he can trust.