Step Back In Time and Into The Legendary Tales of Robin Hood at the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
Come be swept away by medieval magic and transported into the Middle Ages during the last weekend in January and first weekend in February, January 30-31 and February 5-7, at the Alachua County Fairgrounds. Celebrate the 24th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire while the blasts of trumpets blend with the laughter of children as the kingdom of Hoggetowne opens its gates.
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. Throughout the weekend the revelry will captivate visitors, and the 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 who 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. A variety of new vendors will represent talents never seen before at the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire.
Throughout the streets of Hoggetowne the sounds of applause and laughter will draw you into one of the 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. The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire is one of Gainesville’s most beloved traditions.
Prepare to feast on hearty food and drink fit for a king! Beyond the marketplace is the food court, where tempting aromas entice fairgoers. Tasty bloomin’ onions, fresh-baked pastries, sweet potato fries, giant turkey legs and succulent ribs are just a sample of what’s in store.
The Faire is the perfect place to bring even the youngest members of the kingdom. 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.
Come early to spend a truly magical day packed with excitement and medieval merriment. Faire hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 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.
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