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.
The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire is a beloved Gainesville tradition, and for the 20th year it will delight many thousands of guests over two weekends, January 28-29 and February 3-5. Hundreds of actors, volunteers and merchants work together to produce the awardwinning event.
On School Day, thousands of children come to the Faire to take a field trip back in time and learn about the medieval era first-hand.
The Faire offers attractions for guests of all ages, and especially for the younger members of the kingdom. Animal rides, games of chance and skill, and of course, the royal pavilion await visitors.
In the brightly colored pavilion a green overhang shades the royal throne, upon which sit the King and Queen of Hoggetowne, flanked by their guards and heralds. 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 and vendors call out to the crowds to try their hand at crossbow shooting and knife throwing. The astounding “Birds of Prey” show features trained hawks and falcons who perform for the pleasure of the crowds. Fortune-tellers give secrets of the future while artisans braid guest’s hair and festively paint faces.
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.
The marketplace has more than 150 skilled artisans, whose specialties include weaving, jewelry making, blacksmithing, leatherworking, woodcarving and ceramics. The food court entices with tasty onion blossoms, soups, fresh-baked pastries and sweet potato fries are the norm.
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.
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 3, is halfprice. 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. G
The Faire, which is produced by the City of Gainesville Department of Cultural Affairs, is one of North Florida’s most popular events. The Alachua County Fairgrounds is located east of Gainesville, on 39th Avenue and SR 24, adjacent to the Gainesville Regional Airport. For more information call 334-ARTS or visit www.gvlculturalaffairs.org.