Your guide to Cavern City Renaissance Festival: How to eat, drink and be merry
Thousands of years ago in the 15th century, Europe was reborn from the Middle Ages into a period of learning and innovation that became known as the Renaissance.
This was a time mystified by many today for its glory and beauty when knights did battle, and magic was real.
Carlsbad will be transported back to this time of kings and queens, wizards and dwarves at the second annual Cavern City Renaissance Festival.
More: Medieval culture takes over Carlsbad for 1st Cavern City Renaissance Festival
The festival is planned for Sept. 29 and 30, featuring a bevy of live performances, artisan vendors, food and drink along the Pecos River at Carlsbad’s beach area.
Here is your guide to the Cavern City Renaissance Festival.
How to get tickets
Tickets are available for purchase online at the festival’s website.
Friday tickets are $20 for attendees 18 and older and free for anyone younger only on the first day.
On Saturday, tickets for children ages 6 to 17 are $10, while ages 18 and older are $20.
The Friday festival runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., while Saturday is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Entertainment fit for a king: Live shows on two stages
Live entertainment at the Renaissance Festival will take place on two stages: the Royal Pavillon at the beach bandshell, and the Pirate Stage near the entrance.
Shows begin every 15 to 45 minutes on both stages Friday, and include events like “Renaissance Poetry,” “Sebastian the Singing Pirate," “Magic Fun and Wizardry” and fire eating.
Saturday will see shows running throughout the day starting at 10 a.m. on the Royal Pavillion and 11 a.m. on the Pirate Stage.
These include many of the same performances as the Friday show and some additional shows, starting about every 45 minutes to an hour-and-a-half.
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Armored combat throughout the day
Armored knights will do battle in real armor with real weapons, hoping to vanquish their foes and become champion.
This will take place at an arena set up inside the festival and will continue throughout both days.
Fight times will be posted at the arena.
The Tournament Grand Finale will be waged at 6 p.m., Saturday.
Eat and drink like the lords of old
What to eat
There will be six local vendors on hand to serve the dukes and duchesses that attend the festival.
Brunch Me Please, Wood Fire Pizza, Tacos Pita, Texas-Mex Burgers and More and Stuff It’z of Carlsbad will serve up grub, along with Big Reds Concession of Artesia.
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What to drink
Believed a popular drink during the Renaissance, mead is wine made with fermented honey.
Three vendors will offer it: Pixie Mead of Carlton, Washington, Dark Stranger Meadery of Carlsbad, and Mystic Ambrosia Mead of Santa Fe.
Those looking for a tankard of ale can check out Milton’s Brewing of Carlsbad, Steel Bender Brewyard of Albuquerque and Black Cock Brewing of Roswell to quench their thirst, along with Noisy Water Winery of Ruidoso and Hollow Spirits of Albuquerque for wine and other adult beverages.
Those needing a caffeine boost to get through the festival can stop at Lunatic Coffee of Deming, or Tiki Tops Coffee Shop of Carlsbad.
Grizzly Bear’s Fudge and Lemonade of Carlsbad will also offer drinks for those looking to cool off in the heat, along with The Dun Stag of Santa Fe.
Shopping at the artisan marketplace
Myriad vendors from Carlsbad and some out of state will be on hand for visitors to complete their costumes, take home mementos of their trip back in time, or learn more about local organizations.
Armor can be bought, period swords, clothing and crafts along with art pieces and other items from more than 50 vendors set up throughout the festival.
What to wear
Festival organizers encourage guests to dress up for the event and offer several costume ideas online including kinds, queens, jesters and fairies.
Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Cavern City Renaissance Festival returns to Carlsbad, New Mexico
