Carolina Renaissance Festival village is brought to life by stage shows that feature live music, dance, comedy shows, and performers with circus variety skills such as juggling, aerial skills, acrobatics, and sideshow antics. Musicians perform with traditional instruments such as the harp, bagpipes, and other obscure "
period" instruments. Roaming the lanes of the festival are a variety of traveling
street performers who engage visitors in interactive performance experiences. An in-house performance company that features over 100 costumed characters that interact directly with visitors at the fair creates an authentic feel of the renaissance-era town. Professional and amateur actors and costume-play hobbyist help bring the "village" to life. Individuals in the company have developed unique characters such as the "Village Baker," the "Tavern Keeper," the village "Lord Mayor," and a fictional Royal family that has come to visit Fairhaven. The participants in the company are primarily people from surrounding communities, including
Concord,
Greensboro,
Raleigh, and Charlotte.
Major attractions In addition to 16 stages of rotating, scheduled entertainers, there are three premier attractions: The jousting knights on horseback; the falconry demonstration; and the "Sea Fairies" mermaid exhibit. ;Jousting The jousts are enacted by performers from Aventail Productions; and the competition is judged with points that are awarded using a historically accurate scoring system. The victory is awarded to the true winners of each competition. The final
joust of the day ends with a conflict settled by an
unhorsing and ground fight to the "death". ;Falconry A variety of birds-of-prey are put on display highlighting their unique abilities and training that enraptured nobles long ago and made
falconry the 'sport of kings.' ;Mermaids The Sea Fairies exhibit features
mermaids swimming in a 3,000 gallon aquarium tank. Near the tank is a Mermaid sitting on a throne where children can have their photos taken. ==Retail sales and services==