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Tennessee Renaissance Festival Opens for the Season With New Offerings

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Tennessee Renaissance Festival Opens for the Season With New Offerings


Jousters at Tennessee Renaissance Festival. Photo by Lee Rennick.

The Tennessee Renaissance Festival began this past weekend, with opening day on Saturday, May 4. Opening day started out great. Cool with slightly cloudy skies, both visitors and performers in full armor were plentiful. The Queen and her court in their stunning velvet doublets and damask silk finestrella sleeves opened the celebration with a bagpipe player.

And then it began to rain. Then pour. The fair was closed early due to lightning. Saturday ticketholders were also able to use their tickets on Sunday, May 5. 

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Before the rains, Timon, a magician, juggler and sword swallower who adds a dash of humor to his presentation, moved to a main stage this year. Based in Berlin, Germany, he only does three shows in the United States per year, but many around the world. He has added his own odd twist to circuses, festivals, street performances, cabarets and variety shows.   

While some shows have expanded or morphed due to the groups coming under new managers, others are new. For example, Timon and Giancomo the Jester from Empty Hats will be joining forces to do a knife throwing act. The Bardbarians are theatrical musical performers who delight audiences with Renaissance songs with a decidedly 21st-century twist. And Hob the Troll, a new performer, provides a silly musical show that appeals to both kids and adults. He will perform the first two weeks of the festival, and Lady Ettie – an expert on Renaissance fashion and etiquette – will amuse with her uncommon twist on the subjects. 

Another new addition to the festival is “The Grotto.” Here, sea nymphs, also known as mermaids, will be cavorting in a magical pool and offer meet and greets several times a day. They are surrounded by a new group of vendors, including one which offers gossamer “wings” to twirl and shimmer.

Once again, the Jousting Freelancers troupe will be partaking in games of skill, and clashing swords and lances on horseback. Added to the jousting field this year is the Daring Horseman Duo. This is a gravity-defying, equestrian acrobatic extravaganza featuring fearless bareback riding, daring flips and breathtaking stunts. While this duo hails from New Jersey and France, they have amazed audiences around the world.

Throughout the grounds, there will be a role-playing game happening called, “Roll Your Destiny.” It will involve puzzles to solve, secrets to explore, and a magical journey to take with friends or alone. 

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Popular events like the Queen’s Tea and Fairy Training, both of which require an additional ticket, will take place again this year. The Queens’ Tea has been moved to a larger space under a tent near the entrance. Adjacent to this tent is the Queen’s Promenade. Here, twice a day, participants will be able to step into the resplendent ballrooms of yore. Under the tutelage of the festival’s esteemed master of dance, attendees will be imbued with the elegance and skills that were once reserved for only the noblest of society. 

This dance experience offers one session a day for youth ages seven through 15 and another for teens and adults ages 16 and up. The Queen’s Promenade Youth session begins at 11 a.m. and the teen and adult session begins at 1:00 p.m. in the Queen’s Pavilion on May 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, and 25th, through 27th. 

The Third Annual Hobbit and Fairy House Competition will take place the second week of the festival. Made from natural elements, this competition allows participants to put their creativity on display as they create hobbit bowers and fairy houses. Voting will begin each festival day at 2:00 p.m. in the Fairy Glen. Winners will be determined by popular vote. More information about the event is available here.

Each weekend has a different theme. The first weekend theme was “Vikings.” “Fantasy and Folklore” is the theme of the second weekend, and “Pirate Plunder” the third weekend. The last weekend will run Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Memorial Weekend). Its theme will be “Celtic Celebration.” 

A Costume Showcase will take place each day at 2:00 p.m., with awards presented by Queen Elizabeth and her court. The dress and costume weapon policy can be found here. 

Tours of the castle grounds will begin every day of the festival at 11:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. 

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Tickets and additional information is available at https://www.tnrenfest.com/. Tennessee Renaissance Festival will run every weekend in May plus Memorial Day. It opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 6:00 p.m. It is located in Covington Glen at 2135 New Castle Road in Arrington, Tennessee.

 

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Tennessee Football Hosted SEC Cornerback Commit on Official Visit This Weekend | Rocky Top Insider

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Tennessee Football Hosted SEC Cornerback Commit on Official Visit This Weekend | Rocky Top Insider


(Photo via Ryan Sylvia | RTI)

Tennessee football is continuing to make pushes for top targets on its board despite prospects’ commitment status. On Saturday, the Vols flipped Alabama commit Kenneth Simon II to join the 2027 class. On Sunday, Dayon Cooper decommitted from Florida State after his official visit to see the Vols.

UT has its eyes set on another currently committed target, as well. Mississippi State commit Brandon Allen Jr. just completed his official visit to Knoxville this past weekend, according to his Instagram story.

Allen ranks as a three-star recruit, according to 247 Composite. He is the No. 627 recruit in the nation, No. 65 cornerback and No. 76 player from the state of Georgia. He plays for Westlake High School in Atlanta. That’s the same school that current UT receiver Travis Smith Jr. played for.

More From RTI: Five-Star Recruiting Target Took Official Visit to Tennessee Football This Weeekend

Tennessee isn’t the only team trying to flip Allen, though. According to 247, along with the Vols and Mississippi State, Allen is also taking official visits to South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech. Ironically, UT will face all of those teams, except the Hokies and MSU, next season on its 2026 schedule, with each being played on the road.

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Tennessee is a bit late to join the recruitment of Allen, but it could make a big enough impact to reel him in. UT offered him on May 7 of this year. This came from new cornerbacks coach, Derek Jones, who was hired to join the staff of newly hired Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles this offseason.

Tennessee currently holds 15 commitments in the 2027 class and sits outside the top 25 nationally in both 247 and Rivals rankings. However, with official visits continuing to be held, the Vols are putting themself in a position to bolster the group and climb the rankings.



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Indiana man found after going missing in Nashville

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Indiana man found after going missing in Nashville


NASHVILLE, Tenn. — An Indiana man who traveled to Tennessee for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival has been found after he was reported missing for over 48 hours.

The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department previously issued a statement asking for the public’s assistance in locating 28-year-old Trevor Lines.

28-year-old Trvor Lines, provided by MNPD

Lines reportedly left a short-term rental on Douglas Avenue, where he was staying with friends early Thursday and never returned.

Lines’ friends told law enforcement that they left around 5 a.m. to search for someone’s phone, when they returned within an hour, Lines and his vehicle were gone. His phone and medication were left inside the residence.

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His 2016 Lexus with a Purdue University plate was picked up by license plate readers east of Nashville in Mt. Juliet around 7:30 a.m. on Friday and later at 4:30 p.m. in Goodlettsville, which is north of Nashville. Although Nashville does not use LPRs.

Lines had reportedly been visiting Tennessee for the Bonnaroo festival in Coffee County. Nashville police have alerted the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Coffee County authorities to be on the lookout for Lines.

Lines’ older brother, Kyle Smith, told FOX59/CBS4’s sister station, WKRN, he’s worried. Lines is reportedly from the northern part of Indiana, so he’s unfamiliar with Middle Tennessee.

“We’re hoping that maybe he ended up in a local hospital somewhere… The doubts are definitely creeping in, and it feels more and more likely that something bad has happened,” Smith said.

However, shortly before 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, the MNPD announced Lines was discovered in his car outside the Goodlettsville Skate Center, adding that he’s being reunited with his family.

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No additional details have been made available at this time regarding the circumstances surrounding Lines’ disappearance or his discovery.



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Tennessee Football Lands Four-Star Offensive Line Commitment Q’Mari Hudson | Rocky Top Insider

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Tennessee Football Lands Four-Star Offensive Line Commitment Q’Mari Hudson | Rocky Top Insider


Q'Mari Hudson Qmari
Tennessee OT commit Q’Mari Hudson. Photo via @qdarula on IG.

Tennessee Football continued its big recruiting day on Saturday with a commitment from four-star offensive tackle Q’Mari “Big Q” Hudson. The class of 2027 prospect is Tennessee’s second commitment of the day after flipping legacy linebacker Kenneth Simon II away from Alabama in the morning.

Tennessee beat out Virginia and Virginia Tech, Hudson’s two in-state programs, for the commitment over the weekend. Hudson was in Knoxville for an official visit last weekend and all seemingly went well enough for him to bump his commitment date up from July and make his pledge to the Vols.

Following his trip to Knoxville, Hudson landed a prediction from Rivals insider Chad Simmons. The four-star prospect also made one of his visit pictures his profile picture on Instagram, leading to speculation that today’s announcement would favor the Vols.

Rivals‘ Rankings have Hudson tabbed as the No. 281 prospect in the class, the No. 22 offensive tackle in the cycle, and the No. 7 player from the state of Virginia. He currently plays for Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, VA.

More From RTI: Tennessee Football QB Commit Named a Top Performer at Elite 7-on-7 Tournament

The 6-foot-5, 300-pound prospect is a beast in the trenches. While he is being recruited as an offensive lineman at Tennessee, Hudson has played on both sides of the line at Western Branch. His highlight tape shows off the versatile athleticism and power to be a force on both sides of the ball at his current level.

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Hudson is now Tennessee’s 15th commitment in the cycle after landing Simon earlier in the day. He’s Tennessee’s second offensive lineman in the class after landing four-star offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo as an early building block for the class last November.

Tennessee began the day ranked No. 33 in Rivals’ team rankings. After two four-star commitments, though, the Vols have bounced up to No. 27 on the list.

The Vols’ class consists of four-star WR Kesean Bowman, four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon II, four-star offensive tackle Q’Mari Hudson, four-star OT Princeton Uwaifo, four-star TE Malik Howard, four-star DL Kadin Fife, three-star CB Dylan Haley, three-star S Jaden Butler, three-star LB J.P. Peace, three-star CB Slim Leavell, three-star QB Derrick Baker, three-star CB Carter Jamison, three-star LS Sam McKeown, JUCO defensive lineman Christian Mays, and kicker Ford Fehling.

Here’s a look at some of Big Q’s highlights in the trenches:

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