A Step Back in Time: the Carolina Renaissance Festival
Knights on their noble steeds and kings and queens ruled the day Saturday at the annual Renaissance Festival. The festival, which runs weekends from October 9 up until the end of November, celebrated its opening day with a huge crowd, welcoming hundreds through the castle gates.
The event takes place across a huge field, offering spectators everything from a traditional jousting tournament to a medieval torture chamber. Patrons of the festival, dressed in traditional medieval garb, flit between the modernly dressed visitors, directing festivities and offering an appearance that can fool you into believe you have truly stepped back in time.
Even the food offered was traditional renaissance, with turkey legs and soup being offered at every stand. Most of the attendees had been to the festival before, and have become regulars. Rachel Smith, 30, said that she brings her kids up every year.
“We always come for opening weekend, the kids just love it,” she said. “Their favorite part is all of the shows and the jousting tournament.”
The festival features shows that run the range from comedy to archery range where visitors can take lessons to improve their aim. The Tortuga Twins, a group of three ‘brothers’ who put on traditional fairy tales featuring members of the audience, are one of the biggest draws at the fair. The crowd that gathers for their show, which also adds an adult twist into the tales, overflows out of the amphitheatre by the time the brothers make an appearance.
“I love the Tortuga Twins!” James Spurri, 26, said. “I see them every year, I like that they always climb out into the audience and force people to participate in the show. They’re kind of inappropriate for kids, but at least it gives the grown-ups something to laugh at.”
The Renaissance Festival only runs on weekends until the end of November so be sure to check it out before it’s gone. For more information on the festival, visit http://www.royalfaires.com.
