hoggetowne medieval faire

“Be transported into the Middle Ages, January 30- 31 and February 5- 7, at the Alachua County Fairgrounds and celebrate the 24th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire.
The theme for the 2010 Faire is In the Days of Robin Hood. On the streets of Hoggetowne, you will meet King John, Queen Isabelle and Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Street characters will help make everyone a part of the Faire by including them in their witty wisecracks and charming them in a medieval style.
The bustling medieval marketplace will showcase more than 160 talented artisans and craftspeople from all over the countryside that arrive at Hoggetowne to display and sell a variety of goods, trinkets and wares. Visitors will find one-of-a-kind blacksmithing, pewter, jewelry, stone carvings, wood-carving, weaving, hand-blown glassware, leatherworking and much more.
Throughout the streets of Hoggetowne you will find nine stages where the forgotten skills of full flight falconry, gripping aerial acrobatics and astonishing magic acts are brought back to life. Jugglers, musicians, and dancers fill the streets and stages with ancient music and thrilling performances. Full-armored knights battle one another on horseback for the honor of the King and Queen. Robin Hood and his Merry Men match wits with the Sheriff of Nottingham in a game of chess with human players.
Prepare to feast on hearty food and drink fit for a king! Tasty bloomin’ onions, fresh-baked pastries, sweet potato fries, giant turkey legs and succulent ribs are just a sample of what’s in store.
Children delight in visiting the royal pavilion, where they will become lords and ladies of the court of Hoggetowne. Treat your children and yourself with rides on a camel, pony or even an elephant. Thrilling human-powered push rides attract lines of eager children and everyone will have a chance to play olde world games such as crossbow shooting and knife throwing.
Spend a magical day packed with excitement and medieval merriment. Faire hours are 10am – 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays and 9:30am – 3pm on Friday, February 5. Admission is $14 for adults, $7 for children ages 5-17 and free for children 4 and younger. For more information, call the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 352-334-ARTS or visit www.gvlculturalaffairs.org.