Two months of fun and games more boisterous than ever!
Located on the Cabarrus-Mecklenburg County
line off Poplar Tent Road and NC 73 is a village where imagination, fantasy,
and history burst to life. It is a place where adults can feel and act
like children while children are treated as royalty. It is a magical
realm where you will forget about your daily cares. It is the Carolina
Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace -operating 8 consecutive Saturdays
and Sundays, October 5 through November 24.
Fairhaven Village
It is the 16th century and The Renaissance
Festival’s story-book village is Fairhaven; a peaceful shire filled with
charming cottages, castles, kitchens and pubs, all nestled amongst 245 acres of
beautiful fall forest. It is within the village walls of Fairhaven where
pleasure and celebration rule the day as villagers, artists, craftspeople,
musicians, performance troupes and food vendors have all gathered together to
create a marketplace festival in celebration of the arrival of their visiting
Queen.
Immersive Theatre
With trumpets blaring and cannon blasting,
The Lord Mayor orders the gates of Fairhaven to swing open at 10:00 am and
close at dusk. The day is filled with an abundance of attractions
appropriate for all age groups, presented upon 14 stages, each packed with a
unique mix of continuous music, dance, comedy shows, and circus
entertainments. From barely balanced acrobats to one-of-a-kind old-world
musical instruments, the entertainment options are endless. The stage
shows are always spontaneous, and you can take part in the action if you wish –
or sit back and enjoy watching the audience volunteers who make a spectacle of
themselves. You will never know what happens next, on stage or off.
The entertainment also takes place right in
front of you within the village streets as a costumed cast of medieval
commoners, knights, and royalty celebrate a 16th century day of play.
Part of the Renaissance Festival experience is meeting and interacting with the
colorful characters roaming the village, creating an interactive street
theater. Musical fairies and lively woodland sprites embody childlike
innocence. Close up magicians amaze and amuse. Wonderful statuary
comes to life. There is even a walking tree! You can take audience with
the Queen or mingle with peasants who endlessly proclaim… “Hip Hip
Huzzah!” – all part and parcel of the Festival day.
Fairies, knights, mermaids – you never know what you might see at the festival.
One of a kind Attractions
In addition to the non-stop schedule of
entertainment, you cannot miss the birds of prey exhibition where the royal
falconer will don his hunting garb and take you on a thrilling trip into the
past explaining and demonstrating the use of falcons, hawks, owls and more in
the ancient sport of falconry! Listen to fascinating bits of history
delivered while a hawk flies overhead in a simulated hunt displaying the unique
skills that enraptured nobles long ago and made falconry the sport of
kings. It is both educational and awe inspiring as you learn about the
popularity of falconry in the renaissance while watching a falcon dive at over
100 miles an hour!
The Renaissance Festival wouldn’t be complete
without a depiction of one of the grandest events of the time period – the
popular tournament Joust! Occurring three times daily, each joust is full
of pomp, pageantry, action, comedy and chivalry as noble Knights strap on heavy
suits of armor and mount two tons of snorting steeds. With plumes waving
and chain mail clanking, they take up their lances and charge at one another in
tilt. Shattering lances, clashing swords, and daring deeds of bravery all
collide into a realistic recreation of a joust to the death! All for the
Queen’s amusement!
From gallant knights to the marvels of the
vast ocean, the Lord Mayor outdoes himself once again in a bid for the Queen’s
favor with a personal gift – the return of the Living Mermaids – Fairies of the
Sea! These beautiful sirens frolic about in a 3,000-gallon
aquarium! Children love watching the underwater flips, blown bubble
hearts and splashing tails. And families can sit together atop the
mermaid throne for a meet and greet photo experience.
NEW entertainment for the family this year
includes Lady Alice of Wonderland and Lady Wendy of Neverland – visiting
Fairhaven to share amazing tales of science and adventure! And kids will
love watching Pirouette the Magical Dancer as she ventures out of her Musical
Magic Box to dance and delight! And if you are lucky, she might just
reach right into the sky and gift you a magical star of your very own!
Action & Adventure
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is home to
a most unusual collection of people powered rides and games of skill.
Inspired by the joust? Try your skill with a lance on the Slider Joust
challenge game. You can storm the castle in a paintball battle or try to
solve the riddle of climbing Jacob’s Ladder. Mix skillful pleasure and
comic adventure by throwing tomatoes at the insulting fools locked in the
stocks at Vegetable Justice. Test your skill at games like the Dragon
Climbing Tower, the Archery Range, and the Maze. Fly high into the sky on
the Pirate’s Assault Catapult. Take a ride on Christopher Columbus’
Voyage to the New World, the Piccolo Pony (a rocking horse bigger than an
elephant), and Leonardo’s Flying Machine; a people powered amusement ride based
on Di Vinci’s designs for human flight. A family favorite is Mother (and
Father) Goose brought to life with their costumed ducks and geese, the Petting
Farm, and Camel rides.
The jousting is always one of the most popular shows at the festival.
Shopping
Early holiday shoppers can peruse over 140
craft shops in an open-air village market which provides a diverse selection of
handmade items such as pottery, jewelry, perfume, glass blown ornaments,
ceramics, bath & body products, medieval costumes, hand carved candles,
unique musical instruments, children’s toys, a full spectrum of clothing, and
much more. Watch artisans make a masterpiece right before your
eyes. Enjoy demonstrations of fine skills such as weaving, woodcarving,
blacksmithing, glassblowing, pottery, and jewelry making – all through the use
of ancient skills and low technology. Be your own artisan! Learn to
blacksmith and create your own souvenir at the all NEW Dragon Forge!
Feasting
Did you work up an appetite perusing all the
shops and enjoying all the entertainment? Well you will be pleased to
know that the food is as spectacular as all the attractions. Village
kitchens cook up an endless feast of bread bowl stews, steak-on-a-stake,
gourmet sausages, and the festival’s famous giant roasted turkey legs.
Gluten free and vegetarian options are also available. For dessert, try
the fresh crepes, the cakes and cookies from the Monks Bakery, candy delights
from the Chocolate Shoppe, Italian ice, gelato, and a favorite of all
renaissance wanderers: a bag of cinnamon-roasted almonds. Festival pubs
offer a wide variety of craft beer, wine, champagne, ale, honey mead, soft
drinks, Medieval Margaritas and all NEW Friar Puck’s Premium Lemonade!
The Carolina Renaissance Festival is the fall
destination for quality entertainment in the Carolinas. So bust out your
sense of good cheer, leave your cares behind, and spend a day at the wildly
popular and entertaining time machine known as the Carolina Renaissance
Festival and Artisan Market Place!
WHEN YOU GO:
What: The 26th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival.
Where: North of Charlotte between Concord and Huntersville.
The Festival is located on Highway 73 at Poplar Tent Road (between I-77 and
I-85).
When: Eight consecutive weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from
October 5th through November 24th. The Festival runs from 10:00 AM until
5:30 PM, rain or shine.
Advance Discount Tickets: $25 for adults, $15 for kids ages 5-12; available at
Harris Teeter Stores region wide or print your own online at RenFestInfo.com.
Children under 5 are always free. Tickets purchased at the gate are $1 more.
Senior (60 and over) and adult Military discount tickets are $23 at the gate.
Parking is free courtesy of Harris Teeter.
Event Sponsors: The Carolina Renaissance Festival is presented by
Harris Teeter and Pepsi. Additional sponsors include Nestle ReadyRefresh,
Atrium Health, Sunbelt Rentals, Valpak, Jersey Mike’s, Chick-Fil-A, Autobell
Carwash, Papa Johns, AAA of the Carolinas, Visit Lake Norman, Hampton Inn &
Suites, Fluent Language Solutions, Charlotte Playsets, and Apex Technology.
Information: Online at RenFestInfo.com, or call (704) 896-5555.
This information and high resolution
Renaissance Festival photos are available online by clicking “PRESS &
MEDIA” at: Carolina.RenFestInfo.com
Ages 55 and better: $5 *Rates listed include sales tax.
Hours
Monday-Thursday: 4pm -10pm
Fridays: 4pm -11pm
Saturdays: 1pm -11pm
Sunday: 1pm -10pm
Buildings Close 1 Hour Prior to Midway Parking is FREE!
Rides
Pricing & Tickets: Ride Wristbands are for sale every day during the Fair for $25 and allows you unlimited mechanical ride access for one day at the Fair. The Air Raid is not included and requires 3 extra tickets with the wristband. Shared or broken wristbands will not be honored on any ride. During the Fair One Strip of 4 ride tickets can be purchased for $5.00 and a Sheet (22 tickets) for $20.00. Rides take 3-6 tickets each.
Young Children: If your child is under 36 inches tall they can ride the Merry Go Round, Fun Slide, and Kiddie Wheel for free with a paying adult (16 years of age or older). Parents with children under 48 inches should pay special attention to height requirements listed at the ticket booth before purchasing wristbands. Ride tickets are purchased inside the fair grounds at one of the Powers Midways ticket booths.
Plan ahead, all transactions at the Fair are cash only!
ATM’s are located on the grounds for your convenience but carry a surcharge. No Refunds. No Re-Entry.
2019 GATE SPECIALS
Saturday, September 7
FREE General Gate Admission For All
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM ONLY
Sunday, September 8
CCM Canned Food Drive
FREE General Gate Admission For All with the donation of
4 canned food items for adults and 2 for children.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM ONLY
Monday, September 9
Discount Night
$5.00 General Gate Admission ages 12 and over ($3.00
Savings),
$3.00 General Gate Admission ages 6-11 ($2.00 Savings),
$20.00 Ride Wristbands ($5.00 Savings)
Tuesday, September 10
Family Night
$4.00 General Gate Admission for ALL
Thursday, September 12
Salute to Seniors Night
FREE General Gate Admission for Seniors 55 years and better
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM ONLY
Looking for another way to save?
Catch the game and get into the Fair for FREE on Fridays!
Bring your High School football ticket stub after the game
on
Friday, September 6th and Friday, September 13th ONLY
and get into the Fair for FREE.
Rides are NOT included in the above special promotions.
Daily Grounds Attractions:
Ninja Experience
Robinson’s Racing Pigs
Mountain Mike Chainsaw Artist
Petting Zoo – Open During Building Hours
Rust and Flame Blacksmithing – Open During Building Hours
Sandscapes – Live Sculpting
Butterfly Encounter – Open Until Sunset
Live Music on the Country 103.7 Outside Stage Nightly
FFA Milking Booth Experience – Open During Building Hours
Got To Be NC Agriculture Kids Club Activities – Open During
Building Hours
Southern Piedmont Wood Turners – Live Carving During
Building Hours
The Southern Women’s Show is set for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23-25 at the Charlotte Convention Center. It’s a lot of fun and here are some of the important details.
The Food Lion Stage is filled with live demonstrations and ideas for cooking great healthy recipes.
Admission
Adults:$12.00 At the Door Advance Tickets Online: $10.00 Groups (10 or More; Advance Only):$8.00 Click Here for form.
Youth: $6.00 (ages 6-12) Children Under 6 Free With Paying Adult. Ticket prices include 7.25% sales tax.
$4 After 4pm: Friday and Saturday on Tickets Purchased at the Door.
Celebrating Women in Education- free admission with Valid ID at the Box Office for teachers and staff for the entire show!
Military/Police/Fire/Rescue: FREE admission all weekend with ID at the Box Office. Thank You for your service!
Bring a School Supply for Classroom Central and receive $3 Off Admission at the Door! Discount cannot be combined with other coupons or discounts. Click Here for a list of supplies needed and details.
Wheelchairs: Standard size push wheelchairs are available on a first-come basis at the Show Office located in Room #105. Rental is $5. You will also be asked to provide a driver’s license, which we will hold until the wheelchair is returned. Wheelchairs may not be reserved. Oversized and motorized wheelchairs are not available.
Hourly stage shows will provide lots of entertainment and information.
Radio Free Cabarrus will broadcast one game tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 12. The plan had been to broadcast three games, but Anson at Jay M. Robinson was postponed. Another game, North Stanly at Northwest Cabarrus is still a go, but our broadcast location is outside and with a 40 to 50 percent chance of thundershowers at game time I made the decision to cancel our broadcast.
Saturday, September 8 – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Free General Gate Admission for all from 1 p.m.-2 p.m., only.
Sunday, September 9 – Cooperative Christian Ministries Canned Food Drive Free General Gate Admission for all from 1-3 p.m. with any brand of four canned food items per adult and two canned food items per child.
Tuesday, September 11 – School Education Night General Gate Admission, $4 for those 12 and older and $2 for kids, ages 6-11.
Thursday, September 13 – Salute to Seniors Night General Gate Admission price of $4.30 for seniors ages 55 and older from 4-6 p.m., only. Price includes sales tax.
Catch the Fair for free on Fridays Present your high school football ticket stub at the gate after the game on Friday, September 7 and 14, only, and get free gate admission for the corresponding evening.
Advanced online ticket purchases (August 1-September 6): The public can purchase discounted tickets and ride wristband vouchers online at a reduced rate through September 6. The tickets are only available online at www.cabarruscountyfair.com. Click on the Fair Info & Ticketing tab. Advance adults admission tickets for ages 12-64 are $5.35—a $2 savings off the gate price. Purchase advance ride wristband vouchers for $15—a $5 savings.
IMPORTANT information about 2018 Contest entries: There’s still time to enter a Fair contest to earn your bragging rights. Choose from hundreds of categories from photography to baking. One adult and one youth are awarded with the Best of Show Award and will continue on to compete in the North Carolina State Fair Best of Show contest, for a chance to win $500. The 2018 Cabarrus County Fair Catalog is available online at www.cabarruscountyfair.com. Click on the Competitions tab to view contests, programs and other entry opportunities. All entry forms must be submitted to the Fair office by noon on Wednesday, August 22.
Onsite ticket prices: General Gate admission to the fair are $7.50 for ages 12-64, $5.35 for ages 65+ other senior age says 55+ and those with military ID, $3.25 for ages 6-11 and ages 5 and younger are admitted free. Parking is free. All transactions at the Fair are cash only. ATMs are located at the main gate and throughout the midway, but do carry a surcharge.
Shuttle service: Cabarrus County Transportation Service (CCTS) provides complimentary parking lot shuttle van service for the satellite parking lots during the weekends. Satellite parking lots are only operational on weekends and CCTS vans run at specified hours.
2018 Shuttle Van Service Schedule:
Saturday, September 8, 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
Sunday, September 9, 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
Friday, September 14, 6 p.m.-12 a.m.
Saturday, September 15, 12 p.m.-12 a.m.
Entertainment: There’s plenty of Fair just beyond the midway. The Cabarrus County Fair features a butterfly encounter, petting zoo, livestock displays, sand castle carving, milking booth and educational exhibits. Live performances include Mountain Mike chainsaw creations, Robinson’s Racing Pigs, K9’s in Flight and Rockstar Karaoke. Watch live demonstrations from local beekeepers, Master Gardeners, wood turners, and stop by the open forge fire for sustainable living demonstrations and view local farm equipment on display. See www.cabarruscountyfair.com for entertainment details.
The New 103.7 Stage performances:
Fridays, 7-9 p.m.
Monday- Thursday 7-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 8, 7:30-10 p.m.
Sunday, September 9, Rockstar Karaoke 4-5:30 p.m. and 7-9:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 15, Rockstar Karaoke 4:30-6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Background: The Cabarrus County Agricultural Fair began in 1953. The 2017 Cabarrus County Fair received nine awards form the International Association of Agricultural Fairs and Expos (IAFE) and three awards from the North Carolina Association of Agricultural Fairs.
Concord Post 51 beats Mocksville 10-4 in American Legion Senior Baseball. Note there is no audio in the pregame and play-by-play picks up with the National Anthem and as the action begins. This game was played Friday, June 22, 2018.
My daughter Jordan convinced me to try the Couch to 5K group. It was really cold to start and painful.
My left calf felt like a rope was tied around it and every tiny hill, even the little hump at the tennis courts at Dorton Park, seemed like I was limping up a mountain. My per mile pace was over 18 minutes per mile.
But every one in the group was encouraging including the coaches and the post run stretches felt good, especially my corpse pose that I finish up with. Sorry for scaring everyone. More than one person asked “Is he okay?” I just like to relax and melt into the concrete as I cool down.
My medical numbers were not good when I started. My A1C was borderline diabetic, my blood pressure was barely in control and my cholesterol was high (my good cholesterol was too low). I started the Couch to 5K on Jan. 29. My doctor’s appointment was Feb. 2.
I told Dr. Revis that I had signed up. She is a runner and hiker. “Oh you know that’s a gateway drug to a half marathon,” was her response.
I’m having a lot of fun with this. My calf doesn’t hurt now and I am trying to get faster. But I did strain my hamstring sprinting to the finish line once. Stretching, essential oils and a couple of ibuprofen tablets seem to have taken care of that pain. So far I have lost 18 pounds. I still have a long way to go.
We completed the Couch to 5K, then on the 5K to 10K, and now back to the Couch to 5K.
So far here are my results:
Harrisburg 5K April 14
46:03, 10th out of 12 in 55-59 age group, 14:49 per mile
Jiggy with the Piggy 5K May 1 in Kannapolis
44:18 3rd out of 3 in 55-59 age group, 14:15 per mile
Shirley’s Angels Love Your Headlights 10K May 12 in Huntersville
1:30.11 2nd out of two in 55-59 age group, 14:51 per mile
Find Your Fit 5K June 2 at Frank Liske Park
42:10 first out of 1 in 55-59 age group, 13:34 per mile
You can’t win if you don’t enter.
Slow and steady and persevere.
Jordan and I show off our medals after the Find Your Fit 5K at Frank Liske Park
