If you couldn’t tell by the smile on my face, I had an absolute BLAST at Kings Dominion this past weekend! I attended Grand Carnivale, which is an event where I got to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes from six countries across the world. It was lovely to celebrate different cultures and cuisines, all while taking in the beauty of music, dance, and song. It felt like a cross between being at a carnival and being on a cruise, and I promise it will be tons of fun for kids and adults alike.
All of the food was incredible and the servings were huge for the price. I highly recommend the Fried Ravioli from Italy and Dulce de Leche Churros from Spain...DELISH! I ate the churros so fast I actually forgot to take a picture. Also pictured are the Potatoes Bravas from Spain (the garlic aioli dip is so good), the Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice and Vegetable Pakora Fritters with Creamy Cilantro Sauce from India, and the French Macaron Trio from France.
Each plate is only $6.99 if you choose to purchase it on its own. However, instead of buying individual plates, you can purchase a tasting card and save money...especially if you are a foodie like me and want to try a little bit from each cuisine. I recommend the 6 tasting card for $30 if you plan to eat 3 plates and share the other 3 with your date. The 9 tasting card for $45 would be good for large families or friend groups. The 6 tasting card will save you $11.94 and the 9 tasting card will save you $17.91 vs buying 6 or 9 items individually. Note that these are only valid on the day of activation. They even have signature cocktails or mocktails for purchase that come in a fancy light up souvenir pilsner which you get to keep to commemorate your experience! Just be aware, if you are consuming alcohol, you will not be able to order a drink after 7pm since the park closes at 8pm.
Below is a link with the food and drink options available from each country:
The event also has games, an arts and crafts station, and is located right under the Eiffel Tower where you can ride to the top for a panorama view of the park from the observation deck. The tents for food, games, and entertainment, are all available on International Street around the tower.
My favorite part of the event was definitely the parade and high-energy entertainment which made me feel like a kid all over again. As someone that grew up with a performing arts background, I was mesmerized by the singing and dancing and it made me want to join them all on stage! Literally gonna have all the songs stuck in my head for a week, so thanks Kings Dominion! The costumes and decorations were so colorful and extravagant and I loved how happy all the performers were to take pictures with everyone.
The parade itself was so FUN and featured multiple floats including one with a trampoline on it and another that had a fire breathing dragon! The parade route began at Twisted Timbers and then made its way to the front of the park for the finish.
Here's a schedule of how my day went:
12pm-4pm: Roller coasters and water rides
4pm: The Royal Opening Ceremony (King and Queen of Carnivale’s Royal Court will have an official countdown to kick off the event)
4:15pm: The Taste of Carnivale (thrilling food stunt act)
4:30pm: The Sound of Carnivale (upbeat percussion act)
4:45pm: Royal Rhythms (performance of Queen Cara Nivale’s favorite hits with a royal spin)
5pm: Royal Dance Party (World-famous DJ Archie Alto with high-energy hits)
5:15pm: The Mystery of Carnivale (mesmerizing specialty act)
5:15-7pm: Food Tastings from Spain, France, Italy, Germany, India, and China
7pm: Spectacle of Color Parade (featuring six floats and nearly 100 performers)
7:45pm: Royal Send Off (closing ceremony)
Below is a link to the full event guide with the parade route:
Below is a link to the park hours and calendar with the available dates and times of the event:
Grand Carnivale is the international celebration of the summer (until August 1) and admission is included with park entrance, so now is the time to go if you want to take part in the festivities! Park hours are even extended for a limited time so you can enjoy the roller coasters and water rides during the day and then attend Grand Carnivale in the evening.
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