Paramount's Carowinds is a 105 acre theme park, located on the borderline between North and South Carolina, in Charlotte and Fort Mill, respectively. It opened on March 31, 1973 at a cost of $30 million, after a 4 year planning period spearheaded by Charlotte businessman Earl Patterson Hall, who was inspired to build the park by a trip to Disneyland in 1966, and a dream of bringing the two aforementioned states closer together. The park was purchased by Paramount Communications in 1993 and joined the Paramount Parks family, after ownership bounced from Taft Broadcast Company to Family Leisure Centers (a joint between Taft and Top Value Enterprises), to King Entertainment Company which was the last owner before Paramount's acquisition .
The name "Carowinds" was derived from the park's original theme. Since the park was built around the history and culture of the Carolinas, the name is a combination of "Carolina" and "winds", representing the winds that have blown across the two states. As the park changed ownership over the years, most of the Carolina themes were dropped in favor of more generic television and movie themes.
Paramount's Carowinds opens in late March each year and closes in early November, after the park's Halloween event, Scarowinds. In 2005, a portion of the park reopened during December for the Winterfest Christmas festival. However, the event was not returned for 2006, citing poor attendance. A similar decision was made regarding Kings Island's Winterfest.
Paramount's Carowinds is home to The Borg Assimilator, a flying roller coaster. The ride was originally installed at Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara, California in 2000 under the name Stealth and was considered to be the world's first flying Roller Coaster. The coaster was moved to Carowinds in 2004 and was given a Star Trek theme based on the Borg.

Cool Events


11-02, Fayetteville, NC, Holly Day Fair, The largest gifts and crafts show in Eastern North Carolina!, 800-255-8217

11-02, Concord, NC, 31st Annual Mid-Atlantic Farm Show, Trade Show/Expo for everything from agriculture, landscaping, wineries, equine, FFA programs & more. , 910-795-0292

11-03, Greensboro, NC, 17th Annual Holiday Market, The complete Holiday experience with items from over 350 speciality vendors with food, gifts, decorations, 336-282-5550

11-03, Huntersville, NC, 12th Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials, 75-100 Border Collies compete, animal exhibits, arts and crafts, 704-875-3113

11-04, Raleigh, NC, International Festival of Raleigh, Festival promoting awareness and appreciation of diverse cultures in Raleigh/Durham NC area., 919-890-3610

11-04, Hendersonville, NC, Foothills Highland Games, Scottish Highland Games, at new venue, Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC, 828-693-8526

11-04, Hickory, NC, 6th Christmas in the Catawba Valley, Held at CVCC college this event is a Holiday tradition.We sell out months in advance .Limited to 80 vendo, 828-437-5002

11-05, Richlands, NC, Museum Fest: 30th Annual Art & Craft, Celebrating Onslow County\'s Heritage, Talent & Tradition - handcrafted pottery, textiles and woodworking, 910-324-5008

11-07, Outer Banks, NC, Wings Over Water, A birding and nature festival that explores the natural world thru birding, paddling, and natural history, 252-987-1118

11-11, Princeton, NC, Princeton Veterans Day Celebration, Chili Cookoff, Entertainment, Vendors, Parade, Speaker, Memorabilia, 919-936-3042

11-11, Salisbury, NC, Ashley's Antique & yard sale, Regional antique & yard sale items from fine antiques to someone cleaning out their attic & garages, 704-633-9238

11-12, Raeford, NC, Winter Holiday Festival, 1st Annual Arts/Crafts Holiday Festival, 910-904-1191
11-12, Kitty Hawk, NC, OBX Marathon, OBX Marathon Run , 252-475-1500

11-12, Bailey, NC, Dan Finch Pottery Open House, An annual event, more than 60 Finch Studio Potters show & sell their functional pots & artistic creations, 252-235-4664

11-16, Rocky Mount, NC, Simply Shopping, The 6th Annual Simply Shopping will feature shopping, specialty programming, & lite dinner. Need vendors., 252-641-7827

11-17, downtown Mebane, NC, A Hometown Holiday Celebration, Two day downtown Holiday Open House with special music events, shopping & dining specials , door prizes., 919-304-6019

11-18, Winston-Salem, NC, Festival of Trees, Brenner Children’s Hospital Festival of Trees, 336-716-7985

11-24, Raleigh, NC, Christmas Carousel Holiday Festival, The Triangle's Holiday Gift Show, 336-855-0208

11-24, Greensboro, NC, Craftsmen's Christmas Classic, Handmade fine arts & crafts by over 500 juried exhibitors for every style, taste & budget -Thanksgiving, 336-282-5550

11-24, Fayetteville, NC, Eastern Carolina Craftsmen's Christm, this is our 30th year. A true Arts & Craft show., 910-483-2040

11-24, Fayetteville, NC, A Dickens Holiday, Downtown is transformed to Victorian Christmas times. , 800-255-8217

11-24, Fayetteville, NC, Eastern Carolina Christmas Festival, a true arts and crafts show, 910-483-2040

11-24, Salisbury, NC, Lord Salisbury .. Holiday Homecoming, Santa & Grinch arrival, Victorian carolers, Festival of Trees, Celebration of Angels, 704-637-7814

11-24, Concord, NC, Carolina Mistletoe Holiday Market, Holiday Gift Market, 704-658-9383

11-24, Clayton, NC, Lights On The Neuse, A spectacular outdoor Christmas light show enjoyed on a scenic fun-filled hayride!, 919-669-2591

12-02, Charlotte, NC, Mallard Creek Holiday Craft Show, Indoor craft show with 50 vendors, bake sale, santa, and more, 704-548-8234

12-02, Wake Forest, NC, Christmas Historic Home Tour, A self-guided tour of the interior of several historic homes decorated for the holidays. , 919-554-3911

12-02, Wilmington, NC, Old Wilmington by Candlelight Tour, 33rd Annual Historic Home, Site and Church tour, Holiday entertainment, Fruit Cake Contest and More!, 910-762-0492

12-03, Hillsborough, NC, Hillsborough Candlelight Tour, Homes decorated for the holidays, carriage rides, entertainment., 919-732-8156

12-08, High Point, NC, Piedmont New Car Festival, Piedmont New Car Festival - 2007 Car, Trucks, Motorcycles debuts. NASCAR, live music, food, fun., 336-886-4700

12-09, Chapel Hill, NC, Chapel Hill Holiday House Tour, Tour seven historic homes decorated for the holidays., 919-942-7818

12-09, Roanoke Island, NC, Concert Chorale of the Outer Ban, A selection of Christmas music will be offered., 252-475-1500

12-09, Robbinsville, NC, Festival of Trees & Craft Fair, crafts, live singing tree, caroling and music, illuminated christmas parade, tree contest, 828-479-6176

2007-03-10, Fayetteville, NC, Eastern Carolina Craftsmen's Spring, this will be the beginning of 31 years, a true arts and craft show, 910-483-2040

2007-03-23, Mint Hill, NC, Mint Hill Highland Games, A celebration of Highland Heritage including athletics, music, dancing, food & Border Collies!, 704-574-9406

2007-03-31, Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville NC Doll Show & Sale, Antique to Modern Dolls of all types, furniture & accessories at Holiday Inn I-95 South, 803-783-8049

2007-04-06, Newport, NC, Newport Pig Cookin', BBQ, entertainment, rides and crafts for everyone. , 252-223-5820

2007-04-20, Huntersville, NC, 14th Loch Norman Highland Games, Scottish Heritage and Culture at its Best with Athletic and Music Competitions, 704-875-3113

2007-04-20, wake forest, NC, HerbFest, Sell live herbs and perennials, live remote broadcast by superstation on Saturday morning. Craft booths,, 800-937-3993

2007-04-28, Belville, NC, SpringFest, 2nd Annual: Entertainment, Arts & Crafts, Food, Exhibitors, 2 stages, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., no admission charge, 910-383-2235

2007-05-05, Morehead City, NC, Morehead City Arts & Crafts Festival, Annual event in beautiful downtown City Park and Gazebo on Arendell Street, 610-896-9839

2007-06-02, Lake Toxaway, NC, Smilefest Music Festival, A family friendly festival playing host to over 40 bands representing the best of bluegrass and jam, 843-412-7337

2007-06-11, Holden Beach, NC, Carolina Elvis, ELVISUp Close and personal w/ LVIS, 336-629-6308

2007-06-14, Cherokee, NC, North Carolina State Bluegrass Fest, Featuring many top name bluegrass entertainers. , 706-864-7203