Huzzah! The Faire is Back!
North Carolina gets a little more theatrical October 3, when jousters, falconers, fairies, turkey legs and more than 1,000 costumed villagers return to Huntersville for the Carolina Renaissance Festival.
Twenty-Five Acres of Controlled Chaos
The Carolina Renaissance Festival runs Saturdays and Sundays from October 3 through November 22, turning a 25-acre outdoor village into a busy, slightly unruly version of the 16th century.
More than 1,000 costumed villagers roam the grounds, while 16 stages of entertainment keep the day moving with music, comedy, vaudeville, circus acts and plenty of audience participation. Jousting and falconry bring some spectacle, while mermaids, fairies and other wandering characters make sure nobody forgets which century they are pretending to be in.
The village also has a strong shopping streak. More than 140 arts and crafts shops fill the marketplace, giving visitors a chance to browse handmade goods between performances. For anyone who prefers doing to watching, games and Old World-inspired rides add another layer to the day.
Come Hungry, Obviously
The food is every bit as committed to the theme. Festival feasting includes smoked turkey legs, meats on sticks, hearty stews, sweets, craft brews and other fair food meant to be eaten with considerably less restraint than a weekday lunch.
There are also special event weekends throughout the season, giving repeat visitors a reason to come back with a different costume, a different plan or at least a different appetite.
The festival is held at 16445 Poplar Tent Road in Huntersville and is open rain or shine. Parking is free, and tickets are available online before the visit.
That combination of live entertainment, handmade goods, food and full-scale historical make-believe is what has kept the event from feeling like a quick stop. This is the sort of outing that can easily consume an afternoon, especially once somebody in the group decides the costume should have involved a cape.
For more North Carolina festivals worth building a weekend around, browse the Guide to North Carolina calendar at https://www.guidetonc.com/festivals.
