Thousands of people are expected to gather at Lavonia Memorial Park behind city hall Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the second Lavonia Renaissance Festival.
By Samantha Sinclair
Staff Writer
LAVONIA — Thousands of people are expected to gather at Lavonia Memorial Park behind city hall Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the second Lavonia Renaissance Festival.
The park will be transformed into Camelot for the day, complete with a sword in a stone.
“This will be the event of the year. Don’t miss it,” Downtown Development Authority Director Vivian Young said. “We’ll be looking for you at the gates of Camelot.”
Ayers Street, which runs along the side of the park, will be closed to traffic.
Parking will be available first at the Lavonia Moose Lodge at 295 Joe Harvey Street. Access to Joe Harvey Street will be available at Lucille Street.
Once the Moose Lodge parking is full, parking will be available at the American Legion building on Augusta Road.
Guests were reminded to avoid blocking access to the fire department when parking.
There will be police officers directing traffic. There is no charge for parking in either lot.
Entry to the festival grounds will be on Ayers Street.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students. Wristbands will be required for entry. Children under the age of 5 may enter for free.
While alcohol may be available for purchase at the Moose Lodge, it must be consumed on the property. No alcohol will be allowed in the park.
Guests are welcomed to bring chairs or blankets to watch the shows. Seating will be limited.
The main stage will be in the shelter across from the stream, with seating on the center field.
Children’s games and activities will be at the tennis courts.
Information and first aid will be at the Scout Hut behind the playground.
As the weather is expected to cooperate, hot air balloon rides will be available behind city hall.
The fair will also include a birds of prey show, a firebreather who walks on glass, a puppet show, maypole dance, bagpipes, tarot readings and fortune tellers, miniature pony rides, a farmers market, apothecary, an informational hag, an exotic petting zoo, and food vendors.
A special addition to the festival will be an authentic knighting ritual ceremony.
The first renaissance festival was held in October 2019, and drew 3,500-4,000 people.
The second festival was originally planned for October 2020, but COVID prevented it from occurring then.
This year, the Renaissance Festival was moved to spring, and is replacing the annual spring festival.
For details, call 706-356-1926 or 706-356-5725, or visit lavoniadowntown.com/renassiance-festival.