Festivals, Fairs and Other Annual Events

There's quite a few annual outdoor events in Charlotte that are totally worthwhile, especially if you've got kids.

This past weekend was the Matthews Alive Fair that runs all Labor Day weekend. You've got your usual greasy fair foods sold out of big trucks to chow on such as huge roasted turkey legs, gyros, funnel cakes and corn dogs. The Matthews fair is arts and crafts centered, so there's heaps of locals hawking their homemade wares on tables scattered all over the place. I went on Sunday, and I have to say its lots its luster from a few years ago. The items for sale are rather cheesy and repetitive from table to table for the most part. The carnival rides also seemed to be fewer than past years as well, and the ticket-takers seemed to be barking at the kids to get off the inflatables a bit to soon for my 4-year old's taste. He got so peeved at the lines at one ride that he basically gave me my ticket back and wanted to move on. [Warning: Parking is an absolute nightmare here, as there are no lots--its all street parking. Be prepared to walk far from wherever you dump you car if you don't arrive when the fair starts].

Also running all week is the Cabarrus County Fair which has rides, but also lots of farming and animal events such as prizes for best goat, mule and cow. There's also rides and your usual fairground foods, too. Iredell County is also running theirs as well this week.

The weekend of September 20th bring Festival in the Park which is close to uptown at Freedom Park. This is a great event as the park is quite large and has a pretty lake at its center. I happen to really like this festival and am looking forward to its return this year. Parking isn't stupendous, but there is parking on the grass if you arrive early. You go through a tree-canopied walk-way most of the way, so its pleasant in the shade. There are lots of vendors here selling all types of stuff, but its better than what you find at the Matthews Alive event and with more variety. The event meanders around the park, and it doesn't leave you feeling cramped for space such as in street fairs.

Our favorite is the Renaissance Festival that begins in early October and runs about 6 weeks. This quaint medieval "village" sports unique buildings with wonderful little shops that boast interesting things to purchase. You can buy your kid a neat wooden sword for $10 bucks or you can purchase a pair of buttery leather boots for $600. There's something and a price-point for everyone. The festival staff are all wearing traditional garb that would have been seen during medieval times such as felt hats with a fancy plume and tight corsets that cinch up abundant bosoms.

The employees are a lively bunch and put on their best British accents while they joke and bark in a Shakespearean manner. There are lots of undertone remarks that you need to be on your toes to grasp, so pay attention as they could be making fun of you! (In a good natured way, of course). Heck, even many of the visitors get in on the act and dress up too.
There's lots of interesting stage shows happening such as music and dance traditional of that time, and even jousting which is done with quite fanfare. As the season wears on, they have special themes such as for Halloween where the place is shrouded in special scariness. The New Yorker in me expected it all to be totally lame, but I'm looking forward to it this year again. Please don't miss this one, its worth the drive.

In the winter, you'll hear about Christmas Town--also known as McAddenville. This tiny town just north of the airport overhauls itself into a holiday wonderland. The town has pulled together since the 1950's to deck out every porch, every tree, and house with millions of twinkling lights. For free, us visitors simply drive (at 3 mph) through the town to check it out. You hear Christmas music coming from every car and all the kids ooh! and ah! as they point out their favorite house.

There's a number of rules here. First, is that you have to be super patient, because the closer it gets to Christmas Day, the more insane the trip to McAddenville gets. You will see miles of cars on the highway waiting to get to where these homes are. I highly suggest going as early in the season as you can to avoid the maddess. Second, everyone turns off their car lights so you can see the house lights better. Last, you have to patient. Wait, didn't I already say that? Like, I said, cars are literally all just in a line crawling through the neighborhood. It takes about 20 minutes to get through the whole thing. It's something that you've got to do at least once.

In spring, there's the Food Festival in uptown. From a food perspective, this one rocks. Local restaurants and chefs from all over Charlotte get to strut their stuff and let you try smaller portions of their foods for a price (but, often not a cheap price). There's an area for the kids with a bouncy house and such that are no charge, and they don't rush you to get off either. You also get the vendors and local companies offering up their goods at tables lining the street as well. You can have alcohol here, too.

Of course, there's dozens of other smaller festivals going on all the time that you can find out about in the Charlotte Observer newspaper. The Yiasou Greek Festival is next week, for example.

There's beer festivals, wine festivals, book fairs, etc. Whatever your interest, there's always something going on. Some are better than others, but most will give you something interesting to do with the kids for a few hours. Going in the evening gives you more of an adult perspective on the event, of course. But most of us transplants are moving here sans family, so we tend to be schlepping out kids around with us for the most part.