Renaissance Festival Nc

Park Road center donated to 3 colleges

The owner of the venerable Park Road Shopping Center has donated the valuable retail property to three N.C. universities, but the 60-store center will go on doing business as it has since 1956.

Porter Byrum, 91, a retired Charlotte attorney, is giving the largest portion of the shopping center to Wake Forest University, where he went to undergraduate and law school. The rest will be split equally between Queens University of Charlotte and Wingate University, according to a news release sent by the three schools Wednesday evening.

"Education gave me an opportunity in life," Byrum said in the release. "It is my privilege to be able to give that same opportunity to others."

"My daddy never would have been able to put four boys through college, so somebody ought to pay back that debt," he said. "It makes me feel good to do that."

Byrum grew up in Wilmington and Edenton. He graduated from Wake Forest's law school in 1942, then went into the Army and World War II, serving in Europe. After serving in Korea, he moved to Charlotte to start his law practice.

His legal work introduced him to key members of the Charlotte business community and led him to develop real estate. When A.V. Blankenship developed the Park Road Shopping Center, he hired Byrum to help with the financial arrangements, according to a story in Wake Forest Magazine. Byrum bought the center from Blankenship in 1967.

Through the years, he bought land to develop. He's leased 250 acres he owns near Huntersville for Carolina Renaissance Festival.

In recent years, he's donated land in Union County for schools and church. Even into his 90s, he's continued to manage Park Road Shopping Center, where he built a rose garden and often visits the stores and restaurants.

"He is an exceptional role model in terms of both his entrepreneurial spirit and his legacy of philanthropy," said Queens President Pamela Davies. Byrum's gift "will have a tremendous impact on the lives of our students for generations to come."

Byrum has long been connected to Wingate, where he has served as a trustee.

"The way in which he supports his community and mankind sets a high standard for how we all should live our lives," said Wingate President Jerry McGee.

As news of the gift began to spread, some merchants were optimistic that little would change and they'd still be able to operate there.

Park Road has been Brownlee Jewelers' home since 1975. Of the seven Brownlee locations, Park Road has always been the flagship, said owner Harold Rousso.

Renaissance Festival Huntersville NC Weekends In October ...

The minute you walk up to the Ticket Gate there is a clear definition of where one world ends and the new world starts. Pass through the gates and you are taken back to another place and time and immediately there are things to do for all age groups. Characters, Shop Owners, Comedy Acts and visitors all dress in the Renaissance Era clothing, the music is different as well as the atmosphere.

Plus, The Deb Bob Show, The Juggling and Comedy antic of London Broil, Zilch the ToryStellar (no that is not a spelling error), and the dangerous acrobatic theatrics of Barely Balanced.

Don’t forget the dashing swordsman, Don Juan, and his zany Servant Miguel, Birds of Prey demonstrations, Cast in Bronze, America’s Rare Traveling Carillon – Weighing 13 tons, this unique musical instrument features 48 bronze bells and the music it makes is beautiful. There are no words to describe it. And last, but of course not least is the hundreds of minstrels, dancers, jugglers, and jesters.

Food is also a big deal here. Ever had a giant Turkey Leg? Well, they are everywhere! There is food to delight even the pickiest eaters including bread bowl stews, steak on a stake, gourmet sausages, crepes, cinnamon roasted almonds, and so much more! And don’t forget the drinks! Soft drinks, beer, wine, champagne, ale, and Medieval Margaritas.

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