The faire will transform a 106-acre forest site in the heart of Texas into a piece of medieval Nottingham featuring Robin Hood, The Sheriff of Nottingham, Maid Marian, Friar Tuck, Richard the Lionheart and the Crusaders.

Coming just weeks before the opening of the new blockbuster film starring Russell Crowe as Robin Hood, the faire has its own 12th century village, complete with Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. There are medieval men and maids, music, entertainment and jousting tournaments while Sherwood village's 'old market square' will feature hand-crafted goods, leatherwork, pottery, swords, period clothing and jewellery. A proclamation by Nottingham's own Sheriff, Councillor Leon Unczur,  will open the event on Saturday, February 27, and the faire will continue each weekend until April 4, attracting an expected 50,000 visitors.

It is the culmination of a dream by Eric Todd, a graduate student in Medieval and Renaissance history at Texas A and M University and former high school history teacher. He visited Nottingham when he was a student 20 years ago and has returned most years since then. After much hard work and 2.5 million dollar investment, he and his partner George Appling have built his dream - a piece of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in the heart of Texas.

In his proclamation, The The Sheriff of Nottingham sends greetings from the City of Nottingham and good wishes for the faire's success. He said: "The Sheriff of Nottingham is delighted to be doing his bit to support his former arch enemy Robin Hood. The stories woven around his legend about his life and exploits at Nottingham Castle and in Sherwood Forest are forever part of our city and county but their unrivalled magic and bravery in righting wrong and defending the poor and weak have worldwide appeal.

"I am delighted that you have this opportunity to share in your own bit of Sherwood fantasy and magic. I congratulate you on your vision and making your dream a reality and I assure you all that once you have enjoyed Sherwood Forest Texan-style, you would find an equally warm welcome in Nottingham enjoying some of our own attractions, history and heritage."

Councillor John Cottee, Nottinghamshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Culture and Community, said: "The Texan Faire shows that the story of Robin Hood is an enduring legend which is enjoyed by everybody around the world. With this year's festivities around the new film and plans for a new visitor centre in Sherwood Forest we hope to attract many more Robin Hood fans to the county over the coming years."

The Sheriff's proclamation will be taken to Texas by former Nottingham couple Bill and Pat Richmond, now of Matlock, who are close friends of Mr Todd and are travelling to the opening of Sherwood Forest Faire. Mr Richmond said: "This event in Texas is a dream come true for Eric. His first visit 20 years ago was like a pilgrimage and his love of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has never wavered."

The Sheriff's invitation to help open the event follows his tour of some of America's top visitor attractions last year and a live web-link from The Council House to open the Seventh Biennial Conference of the International Association for Robin Hood Studies at the University of Rochester in New York State.