By: Katie Brailsford and Maggie Barclay
The season opening of the 21st annual Carolina Renaissance Festival on October 4th and 5th brought over 22,000 people flocking to the village of Fairhaven to experience a 16th century village. With jousting tournaments, a petting zoo, comedy shows, a marketplace and food fit for a king, this festival is sure to excite visitors of all ages.
Fairies, jousters, Celtic musicians, nuns, jugglers, dancers, lords, ladies, captains and many other characters roam the festival. Dressing up is not limited to staff and actors: visitors are encouraged to come in costume. Over 500 costumes are available for rent or purchase. It makes the fair ten times more fun.
For entertainment, “Hey Nunnie Nunnie” and “The Village Washer Wenches” are great comedic acts. There are many comic shows, but be advised that some of these are more appropriate for adult audiences. Other fun acts include “London Broil,” a hilarious juggling trio, and “Barely Balanced,” another trio, who do an acrobatic routine combining great jokes and mind-boggling stunts. Come check out the jousting tournaments and experience the heroic challenges of the Renaissance knights, too. This is usually the event with the biggest turnout.
The food is one of the best parts of festival. The King’s Kitchen and Lancer’s are the most popular places to eat. There are amazing bread bowls with fillings like beef stew, broccoli and cheese, marinara and meatballs and spinach artichoke dip. For bold meat eaters, the turkey leg is an obvious choice. It’s all the meaty and juiciness a Renaissance man would ever want. They also have desserts such as fudge, strawberry shortcake, baked goods, coffee and hot chocolate as well. The festival is also a great place for children. People of all ages can enjoy games and rides such as Jacob’s ladder, archery, axe throwing, vegetable throwing, and a maze. Small children can enjoy attractions like the petting zoo which features camel rides and other animals to see such as sheep, horses, geese, and rams.
Spread over 22 acres of fields and forests, the Carolina Renaissance Festival is a hit for the whole family.
Cost: Online Payment: $21 for adults $11 for children 5-12 (under 5 always free). There is no additional service fee charged for online ticket sales.
Festival Box Office Payment:
$22 for adults
$12 for children 5 – 12 (Children under 5 always free).
$19 for seniors 60 and over ($3.00 savings).
$19 for active and/or retired adult military personnel and their spouses ($3.00 savings). Must show military ID. Spouses must show dependent military ID.
$9 for child dependents of active and/or retired adult military personnel and/or their spouses ($3.00 savings). Children must show dependent military ID.
Additional Information Saturdays & Sundays, October 4th – November 23rd, 2014 16445 Poplar Tent Road, Huntersville, NC 2807810:00 AM – 5:30 PM ~ Rain or Shine No Pets Free Parking
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