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Renfest tickets on sale Aug. 5 for this fall’s festivities

Tickets for the 29th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival go on sale Friday, August 5th.

Tickets for the 29th annual Carolina Renaissance Festival go on sale Friday, August 5th kicking off the start of several new changes Festival organizers have planned for the upcoming season.

Recently, the Festival announced a list of changes planned to improve traffic conditions for the 2022 event season that include a major revision of how festival admission tickets will be made available. Tickets are now event date specific, limited in availability per each event date, and sold online at the Festival website at Carolina.RenFestInfo.com while each event day ticket supply lasts. General admission tickets valid any of the event dates are no longer available at retail locations statewide as in the past.

“This is the most significant operational change in the Festival’s near three-decade history. We encourage visitors to reserve their date and purchase tickets in advance online while they last. Tickets will be offered at the Festival on-site box office only on event days not sold out in advance,” stated Matt Siegel, the Festival’s Director of Marketing.

The Festival is open rain or shine. Ticket holders will receive a refund should the Festival not open on an event date due to extreme unsafe weather conditions, a very rare occurrence according to Festival organizers. Additionally, the Festival’s online ticket provider works with FanShield ticket protection to present purchasers an option to buy, at a modest additional fee, an insurance policy that guarantees a refund if the purchased tickets were to be unused, under the policy’s terms and conditions.

Last year’s reopening of the Renaissance Festival came with the impact of additional weekend traffic on an adjacent road system increasingly burdened with new residential and commercial developments now surrounding the Festival’s once rural location near the Town of Huntersville in North Mecklenburg County.

2022 plans for the fairgrounds include a revised Traffic Management Plan for nearby roadways and improved parking, staffing, and signage to expedite arriving and departing event traffic. Festival hours are also revised to open 30 minutes earlier at 9:30 AM and remain open until 5:30 PM. Parking remains free courtesy of Harris Teeter.

Celebrating 29 Years of Cheers, the annual Carolina Renaissance Festival returns Saturdays and Sundays for eight consecutive weekends, from October 1st through November 20th. In addition to all the returning popular jousting, jesting, and juggling favorites, the Festival will be hosting several new food and entertainment offerings.

The Festival occurs on a 250-acre farm located north of Charlotte, between Concord and Huntersville, at the junction of NC 73 and Poplar Tent Road. Tickets will be available online only at Carolina.RenFestInfo.com.

General Info:

What: The Carolina Renaissance Festival is a combination of outdoor theater, circus, arts and crafts fair, jousting tournaments, and a rollicking feast, all rolled into a full day of non-stop, outdoor family adventure!

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). Plan ahead with must know driving info at Carolina.RenFestInfo.com/driving-directions

When: Eight consecutive weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) October 1 through November 20. The Festival opens daily at 9:30 AM and closes at 5:30 PM, rain or shine.

Event Sponsors: The Carolina Renaissance Festival is presented by Harris Teeter and Pepsi. Additional sponsors include Atrium Health, Sunbelt Rentals, Valpak, Jersey Mike’s, Chick-Fil-A, Autobell Carwash, AAA of the Carolinas, Visit Lake Norman, Hampton Inn & Suites, Language Line Solutions, Charlotte Playsets, and Apex Technology.

Tickets & More Information: Online at Carolina.RenFestInfo.com, or call (704) 896-5555.

Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Softball Awards presented by South Charlotte Sports

Watch live as the 14th Annual Greater Charlotte Hot Stove League Softball Awards are presented at the Airport Sheraton in Charlotte. The broadcast begins at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022.

Watch live beginning at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23.

Greater Charlotte Home & Landscape Show

The Greater Charlotte Home & Landscape Show is coming to the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 28-20.

The event is presented annually by the South Charlotte Sports Report.

https://charlottehomeandlandscapeshow.com/

Playoffs Round 2 broadcasts

Radio Free Cabarrus/485 Sports will broadcast three games Friday, Nov. 12, in the N.C. High School Athletic Association football playoffs.

Julius Chambers at Hickory Ridge

Hickory Ridge will host the defending 4A champs Julius Chambers. We will have a multi-camera broadcast in addition to the normal Pixellot automated stream. Here is a link to that broadcast on NFHS Network.

Concord at Hibriten

RFC/485 Sports will also be in Lenoir as Concord visits Hibriten. John Voncannon and Chris Hudson will call the action on the NFHS Network.

Jay M. Robinson at Monroe

Yadkin Valley Conference Champion Jay M. Robinson visits Rocky River Conference Champion Monroe. Perry Gabriel and Trey Betler will call this audio only broadcast on 485 Sports/Radio Free Cabarrus’ YouTube channel.

Jay M. Robinson on the road earlier this year at South Rowan

Week 4: Spiders, Warriors, Cougars and more

Radio Free Cabarrus will have announcers at Concord for the Spiders home opener against the Cabarrus Warriors. John Voncannon and Trey Betler call the action on the NFHS Network. Other games can be found there by searching for your team’s name.

485 Sports/Radio Free Cabarrus will also feature a multi-camera broadcast of the 10th Annual Patriotic Bowl on YouTube between Blessed Trinity from Georgia and Charlotte Catholic.

Spectacular pregame show leading to gridiron battle at Patriotic Bowl

On Friday night, September 10, the greater Charlotte region will continue a legacy. The Tenth
Annual Patriotism Bowl will be played at Keffer Stadium featuring the Cougars of Charlotte Catholic and
Atlanta powerhouse Blessed Trinity Catholic High School to benefit organizations with missions to
encourage patriotism; support our first responders, veterans, active military and their families; and
recognize selfless service.

Watch on YouTube or NFHS Network

485 Sports/Radio Free Cabarrus will broadcast all the action beginning at 6:45 p.m. on YouTube – Blessed Trinity vs. Charlotte Catholic.

Some of the highlights

This game will celebrate a number of highlights:

  1. An ESP ASSOCIATES Sponsored Skydiving Exhibition is planned – always a crowd pleaser!
  2. An APOLLO RETAIL Sponsored Helicopter Landing is delivering the Coin Toss Guest to the
    stadium, while CHARLOTTE UAV will deliver the game ball via drone during the coin toss.
  3. An Acuity Environmental Sponsored VIP tent will provide dinner for guests and media personnel.
  4. The two teams will be wearing custom-designed Bowl jerseys.
  5. The National Anthem will be a moving performance by the Charlotte Catholic High School Band.
  6. The Coin Toss Guest will be a special surprise guest (hint: he is future NFL Hall Of Fame).
  7. The game will have more than 4,000 spectators, and expects to break a Patriotism Bowl
    Attendance record, currently held by Belmont’s South Pointe High School (2019 – approx. 4300).
  8. There will be patriotic music and entertainment for the entire family.
  9. The game will be streamed Nationally by 485 Sports at https://youtu.be/or2Ysk4qhDE
    This will be an outstanding football game in its own right. Blessed Trinity has one of the top running
    backs in the nation in Justice Hayes (3rd best player in Class of 2023 Rivals.Com) who is the #1 running
    back in GA with over 3500 yards rushing and 43 TD’s going into his Junior Year. Catholic features its own
    highly ranked Junior in Sean Boyle, a highly touted QB from the class of 2023, as well as the nation’s top
    tight end in the class of 2024, Jack Larsen, who has already received offers from several power five
    schools including UNC, USC and NC State as a rising sophomore.
    This special night is the continuation of what has become a proud tradition for the local area. If you
    want more information about this remarkable event, visit the
    website at www.patriotismbowl.org.

Bulldogs-Vikings clash

485 Sports/Radio Free Cabarrus will be at three games in Week 2, highlighted by Jay M. Robinson at Central. All games will be on the NFHS Network.

485 Sports will also have announcers at the Porter Ridge-West Cabarrus game and the Forest Hills-Mount Pleasant game. The Cox Mill Sports Network will be calling the Northwest Cabarrus at Cox Mill game.

Dozens of other games will be broadcast in Week 2, Friday, Aug. 27. Log onto NFHS Network and search for your school’s name.

Highlights from Week 1 featured game

Three broadcasts kicks off 485 Sports football season

The high school football season gets under way for Cabarrus County schools. Watch all the action on the NFHS Network. Radio Free Cabarrus/485 Sports will be doing a multi-camera broadcast from Central Cabarrus as the Vikings host Mount Pleasant.

RFC/485 Sports will also have announcers calling the action for West Cabarrus at Northwest Cabarrus and Concord at Jay M. Robinson.

The Cox Mill Sports Network will be calling the action as the Chargers visit Hopewell.

Mt. Pleasant Coach’s Interview

Coach Mike Johns talked with RFC/485 Sport leading up the season.

Central Cabarrus Coach’s Interview

Coach Zach Bevilacqua talking at Dink Jordan Field

Jay M. Robinson Coach’s Interview

Bulldogs Coach Darius Robinson excited about the season

Concord Coach’s Interview

Coach Marty Paxton talks Spiders football

West Charlotte Coach’s Interview

Coach Sam Greiner’s Lions are in a 3A/4A conference

Coaches Interviews throughout the season

485 Sports and Radio Free Cabarrus will be doing interviews with coaches in the area throughout the season in addition to live broadcasts of games and other content.

Highway 49 Rivalry tops opening night for football

The high school football season gets under way for Cabarrus County schools. Watch all the action on the NFHS Network. Radio Free Cabarrus/485 Sports will be doing a multi-camera broadcast from Central Cabarrus as the Vikings host Mount Pleasant.

RFC/485 Sports will also have announcers calling the action for West Cabarrus at Northwest Cabarrus and Concord at Jay M. Robinson.

The Cox Mill Sports Network will be calling the action as the Chargers visit Hopewell.

Mt. Pleasant Coach’s Interview

Coach Mike Johns talked with RFC/485 Sport leading up the season.

Central Cabarrus Coach’s Interview

Coach Zach Bevilacqua talking at Dink Jordan Field

Jay M. Robinson Coach’s Interview

Bulldogs Coach Darius Robinson excited about the season

Concord Coach’s Interview

Coach Marty Paxton talks Spiders football

Renaissance Festival blood drive coming Sunday, Aug. 1

HUNTERSVILLE – The American Red Cross and Carolina Renaissance Festival invite thy noble donors to roll up a sleeve and travel back in time at the fifth annual Carolina Renaissance Festival Blood Drive on Sunday, August 1, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Comfort Suites Lake Norman – Huntersville 14510 Boulder Park Dr. Huntersville.

 All presenting blood donors will receive a buy-one, get-one free admission coupon to the 2021 Carolina Renaissance Festival and a Red Cross gift. Limited free tickets to the 2021 Carolina Renaissance Festival, while supplies last.* Performers from the Renaissance Festival will also be present to perform for donors.

 As we head into late summer, blood donors are urged to make an appointment to ensure a strong blood supply – especially as vacations wrap up and students prepare to head back to class. In most cases, there’s no blood donation deferral if you received a COVID-19 vaccine and you are symptom-free and feeling well when you come to give.

 Call 1-800-RED CROSS, visit RedCrossBlood.org  and enter sponsor code: CarRenFest or use the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App.

 Donate blood at Carolina Renaissance Festival Blood Drive on Sunday, Aug. 1st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Comfort Suites Lake Norman – Huntersville, 14510 Boulder Park Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078

About blood donation

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

 Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

 Health insights for donors

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.   

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. 

 Blood drive safety

The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Fully vaccinated individuals, including staff and donors, no longer need to wear masks or socially distance. Unvaccinated individuals continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive. 

 About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross

Legion playoffs broadcast: Matthews vs. Carson

Watch as Matthews Post 235 plays Thomasville in the N.C. American Legion Baseball playoffs from Finch Field in Thomasville. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, July 22:
https://youtu.be/q7AJJhVNLLU

1A, 2A softball finals

485 Sports broadcast the 1A and 2A NCHSAA State Softball championship series. Here are a few highlights:

485 Sports broadcast the 1A and 2A NCHSAA State Softball championship series. Here are a few highlights: