Join Emerald Tours & Cruises Inc. as we step back to the 16th Century way of life. The Carolina Renaissance is a major festival re-creating jousting tournaments with knights in armor performing on horseback in the King’s Tournament Arena. There’s nine stages scheduled with music, dance and comedy acts every half hour. Costumed characters delight audiences with their stage presentations, village artisans provide craft demonstrations throughout the day. This European style arts and comedy festival was introduced in 1994 with six acres of exhibits, attractions and entertainment. The event has grown to a twenty acre themed park filled with charming cottages and castles, kitchens and pubs, and the most unusual collection of people powered rides and games of skill. The Carolina Renaissance Festival has become one of the largest of the Renaissance fairs nationwide. You can sit around and watch, or you can become a part of the action, surrounded by over 300 costumed characters roaming the festival village. The lanes of the 16th century village are full of peasants singing sea-faring songs and street entertainers surprising you with tall tales and tricks, each with a role to play. All too soon it’s time to snap back to the 21st Century and travel home taking with us many memories of the 16th Century.