The city of Gainesville voted for staff to continue negotiations with Gainesville Raceway, host of Gatornationals and owned by the National Hot Rod Association, to restore the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire to its former setup—a multi-weekend, ticketed event. 

The City Commission discussed the January event with the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners during a joint meeting on Monday. 

Leslie Ladendorf, assistant director for Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, said the city will have a hill to climb restoring attendance for the upcoming 40th anniversary after three years of a free event. 

Hoggetowne Medieval Faire started at the Historic Thomas Center before moving to the Alachua County Fairgrounds for 30 years. When the county sold the property, the city shifted to a virtual faire for the COVID-19 pandemic before using the former YMCA property off Archer Road, with parking in bumpy watermelon fields and severe traffic snarls. 

The city failed to find another large plot of land to host the full, three-weekend event and decided to draw crowds to downtown Gainesville with a free but modified event at Depot Park. The City Commission has considered new locations ever since.  

Mayor Harvey Ward said Monday that the city had a pot of money to buy its own permanent home for the faire, but he said that parcel of land doesn’t exist within city limits.  

According to a draft budget, Gainesville would pay $80,000 to rent the raceway (11211 N County Rd 225, Gainesville) in 2027, and the location has enough room for jousting, birds of prey and other key events that Depot Park couldn’t fit.  

The faire would happen on a parcel of land to the rear of the property, not on or near the grandstands and dragstrip.   

The total expenses could reach $592,000, but unlike in past years, when the event ran at a loss, the city could sell tickets for the event and recoup most of the costs. 

Gainesville’s Sunshine Andrei said the draft budget included relatively conservative attendance numbers. She thanked both commissioners for their support in reopening dialogue with Gainesville Raceway.  

Gainesville’s Sunshine Andrei said the draft budget included relatively conservative attendance numbers. She thanked both commissioners for their support in reopening dialogue with Gainesville Raceway. 

City staff said they’re also considering increasing the ticket price from $20 to $25. Andrei said $25 would remain on the cheaper side of the Medieval/Renaissance faire circuit. She added that Gainesville keeps the cheaper youth tickets for anyone 17 years old and younger, unlike most events that start adult tickets at 13 years old. 

County Commissioner Anna Prizzia asked if tickets could be reduced for Alachua County residents. Ladendorf said the faire could offer that discount and added that the city is waiting to see how the public responds to the event. 

The draft budget estimates $650,000 in revenues, but that includes $130,000 from the city’s general fund. Alachua County would also support the event with $10,000 from Visit Gainesville, Alachua County. 

Ticket sales would account for 92% of the revenues. 

Commissioner James Ingle said the downtown editions were better for the city overall, but it was a diminished event. He supported moving toward a regional draw at the Gainesville Raceway.  

Commissioner Casey Willits said the city will be able to use attendance numbers and feedback to rebuild in the coming years to an event that pays for itself. He noted that the city subsidized the faire over the past three years despite budget and job cuts.  

Ward said the money to fund the downtown version paid for itself by drawing new people to visit and more traffic through stores. But he agreed it was a temporary solution. He said he hopes the new partnership with Gainesville Raceway brings more opportunities for events on the site.  

The city commissioners directed staff to continue working toward the event in a unanimous vote, with commissioners Desmon Duncan-Walker and Bryan Eastman absent.