CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — It’s finally time for Hallo-weekend, and the Carolina Renaissance Festival is in full swing.
“It is bigger and better than what you think it is… you’re really feeling like you’re stepping through the pages of a storybook,” said Matt Siegel director of marketing and entertainment.
Siegel has worked at the festival for 19 years, handling ticket sales, sponsorships, and public relations. His loyalty to the festival is reflected in many attendees who have been coming for decades.
“We love it, and we have been going here so long, and it’s just in our element and we just have such fun, we made a lot of great friends here,” said Connie Lacey a festival attendee.
From the turkey legs to the dancing, it takes a lot to put on the show—340 actors and entertainers to be exact.
“All the loyals who come in here every year, every single weekend, and just seeing what new designs they come up with their new costume and it’s always fun to see and the people I get to work with as well,” said actor Thomas Allen.
The festival has been sold out for the past three Saturdays. A lot of work, according to the staff, but they say it’s worth it.
“Because at the end of the day, I get to come up here at the front gate and watch as everyone’s leaving and seeing the wonderful smiles on their face. Because it really is an escape, you get to forget about all your daily cares, come out for at least a day, maybe even more, and have a wonderful time,” said Siegel.