Historic Days, Medieval Knights
FOR TWO WEEKENDS each year, the clear blast of trumpets mingles with the laughter of children as the kingdom of Hoggetowne opens its gates. Dancers and singers in medieval garb perform to the delight of passers-by. Vendors hawk their fine wares and blacksmiths demonstrate their skills. Magicians amaze crowds with their secret arts. Knights battle one another from horseback and warriors meet in combat as pieces in a living chessboard.
For the 19th year, the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire is a beloved Gainesville tradition, and it will delight many thousands of guests over two weekends, January 29-30 and February 4-6 . Hundreds of actors, volunteers and merchants work together to produce the award-winning event.
Admission for the Faire is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-17. Children under 5 enter free. Admission on School Day, Friday, February 4, is half-price. The Faire is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday’s School Day.
The Faire offers attractions for guests of all ages. Animal rides, games of chance and skill, and of course, the royal pavilion await visitors. It’s here where, over the course of the Faire, more than a thousand children will become knights and ladies, dragon slayers and damsels of the royal court.
Seven stages of continuous entertainment feature jugglers, jesters and magicians. Musicians play medieval melodies on period instruments and belly dancers perform in the street. Thrilling human-powered push rides attract lines of eager children. The astounding “Birds of Prey” show features trained hawks and falcons who perform for the pleasure of the crowds.
One of the Faire’s most notable attractions is the joust, where knights in full plate armour charge each other on horseback, clashing in the middle of the field and battling for the honor of the King and Queen. After the joust, children are encouraged to meet the knights and their steeds.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early for the “meet and greet session” during the first 30 minutes of the Faire, when actors and dancers gather each day at the front gate to entertain the early crowds.
“That’s my favorite part of the day,” Piper says. “It’s great to see all the performers at the gate to greet the guests. The sights and sounds are simply breathtaking; I get so much pleasure from watching the faces of the visitors as they enter Hoggetowne.” G
For more information call 334- ARTS or visit www.gvlculturalaffairs.org. The Alachua County Fairgrounds is located east of Gainesville, on 39th Avenue and SR 24, adjacent to the Gainesville Regional Airport.