Carowinds, Renaissance Festival cancel events over weather and safety concerns
SCarowinds, the annual Halloween-themed event at Carowinds, will be closed on Friday due to the expected bad weather associated with Ian, park officials said Thursday.
The park will be closed “in consideration of our guests’ and associates’ safety,” Carowinds officials said on Twitter.
Tickets dated for Friday, Sept. 30, will be valid any day the park is open through Dec. 31, officials said.
At 2 p.m. Thursday, Tropical Storm Ian was predicted to strengthen into a hurricane again Thursday night and make landfall as a hurricane on Friday, “with rapid weakening forecast after landfall,” according to a National Hurricane Center bulletin.
Ian winds remained near 70 mph Thursday afternoon, “with higher gusts,” center officials said.
Park update for Friday, September 30, 2022. #SCarowinds pic.twitter.com/UAw2sdE94m
— Carowinds (@Carowinds) September 29, 2022
RenFest closed
The Carolina Renaissance Festival in north Charlotte will not open its two-month weekend run as scheduled on Saturday, Oct. 1.
The festival typically is a rain or shine event, but organizers fear the heavy rains and strong winds expected from the remnants of Hurricane Ian would create unsafe conditions, organizers said in a post Thursday.
Ticket holders for Oct. 1 should check their email for information on full refunds.
Festival organizers hope weather conditions allow for opening on Sunday.
