When searching for signs of autumn’s arrival one need look no further than the return of the annual Carolina Renaissance Festival.  As sure as the changing color of the leaves, for eight consecutive weekends starting September 30 and through November 19, the Carolina Renaissance Festival brings a big dose of cheer, trumpet fanfare, clashing armor and giant roasted turkey legs.

During the medieval times, fall was the Harvest Season celebrated by festivals and fairs.  This rings true as each Renaissance Festival day is filled with a bounty of attractions appropriate for all age groups.

Village purveyors offer an endless feast of bread bowl stews, premium meats on sticks, sweet treats and confections, and a favorite of all renaissance wanderers: a bag of cinnamon-roasted almonds!  Festival pubs offer variety of Pepsi products, craft beer, wine, champagne, ale, honey mead, lemonade and Medieval Margaritas to compliment the day-long feast of hearty foods fit for royalty! New to the menu this season is Bronn’s Dragon Chop – a giant smoked pork chop that is sure to rival the Festival’s signature Turkey Leg and is named in honor of a popular character on HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Twelve stages offer an abundance of costumed performers offering continuous music, dance, comedy, and circus entertainments.

Unbalanced acrobats, the Ancient Art of Falconry, and the popular jousting tournament with horse mounted armored knights are all examples of the continuous entertainment options offered. Many of the shows are spontaneous and you will never know what happens next, on stage or off.

Shop an extensive array of craft vendors offering home décor, jewelry, clothing of renaissance and medieval fashion, blown and torched glass, handmade art and pottery.  There are also activities for children of all ages that include people powered amusement rides and countryside faire games such as the castle climbing wall, archery and tomato tossing at a fool.

In addition to returning favorites like the Tortuga Twins, Hey Nunnie Nunnie, Barely Balanced and Don Juan & Miguel, each year the Carolina Renaissance Festival adds new entertainments for visitor enjoyment. New for 2017 is The CRAIC Show (pronounced CRACK).  A self-proclaimed theatrical “Heavy Medieval” rock group that features roguish vocals, rhythmic mandolin, ancient style violin, huge wooden drums and blaring bagpipes. They play songs from all over the world that date from the 900s to the 1800s.  They are a high energy & wildly entertaining band that performs a sound that is unlike any other!

The 24^th Carolina Renaissance Festival – where imagination, fantasy, and history burst to life.  A place where adults can feel and act like children while children are treated as royalty.  A magical realm where you will forget about your daily cares and enjoy the magic of a simpler time and place.  A time traveling escape like no other!