The Carolina Renaissance Festival takes place during weekends in October and November between Huntersville, North Carolina and Concord, North Carolina, near the city of Charlotte. The festival takes place in the fictional village of Fairhaven. One of the most significant Renaissance fairs in the U.S. and draws about 200,000 visitors every year. It was founded in 1994 by Jeff Siegel.
The festival features a few jousting tournaments every day with the participation of the Aventail Productions stunt group. Each day shows the visitors the Ancient Art of Falconry presentation as well as a Mermaid exhibit with mermaids in a large aquarium tank.
The Carolina Renaissance Festival offers entertainment on 14 stages, including live music, comedy, dance, and circus. Visitors will be amazed by skillful jugglers, aerial silks, acrobats, and musicians playing instruments like harp or bagpipes. Over 100 costumed characters roam the streets providing an interactive experience of Renaissance times.
Over 100 shops offer handmade arts and crafts: jewelry, artisan leather, stained and blown glass, candles, and other goods. Food options make for a proper feast with turkey legs, soups, stews, and chowders, fish and chips, corn on the cob, and other traditional dishes. Visitors can try games like axe throwing, archery shooting, crossbow, frog catapults, and a gold coin hunt. Every day there are special ceremonies attended by the Royal Court.
Tickets for the Carolina Renaissance Festival can be purchased online and at the gates. Organizers also offer discounts and coupons from mid to late September and are available while the supplies last.
