Taryn Ashby
The 36th annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire returns to Gainesville for three straight weekends starting Saturday.
The city of Gainesville’s longtime event returns for the second year at 9409 SW Archer Road and will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays starting Jan. 14-15.
“The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire is a place where attendees of all ages can immerse themselves in the rich culture of the Middle Ages,” said Faire coordinator Sunshine Andrei in a press release. “Visiting the Faire has become a decades-long tradition for families living in the Southeast; a tradition that the City of Gainesville is proud to uphold.”
The Faire will also run Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 21-22, followed by 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 28-29.
“When people arrive, they’ll be entering a medieval village,” said event coordinator Chelsea Carnes in a phone interview. “There will be multiple stages, with performances happening at every stage. Local and touring performers include comedy theater, music, dance juggling, and crowning all sorts of entertainment. It’s an open outdoor event, so there is plenty of space to roam around and enjoy the festivities.”
The Faire will feature more than 150 artisans who travel from across the country to display and sell their traditional wares through one-of-a-kind items, such as jewelry, medieval clothing, and hand-blown glassware. Entertainment includes music, theatre performances, majestic full-flight falconry, aerial acrobatics, magic acts, and jousting knights.
Adults can join old-world games, like knife throwing and archery, while a sea dragon and Barrel of Bedlam rides are available for children.
Visitors can take a break from the entertainment and enjoy a feast at the food court, which features turkey legs, blooming onions, chocolate-covered bacon, homemade ice cream and more.
Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors (ages 60 and older), $17 for military (with valid ID), $10 for youths (ages 5-17), and free for children (4 years and under). Family Friday on Jan. 27 features reduced-price ticket sales for all guests.
The city of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs organizes the Faire each year, and ticket purchases and additional information are available at www.HoggetowneMedFaire.com, any Gator Domino’s in Gainesville, or the Historic Thomas Center.
For more information, call 352-334-5084 or visit www.HoggetowneMedFaire.com.
