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 Join us on  and 
 FESTIVAL INFORMATION
 For two consecutive weekends, the Alachua County Fairgrounds will transform into a medieval marketplace during the 25th Annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire. The clear blasts of trumpets mingle with the laughter of children as the kingdom of Hoggetowne opens its gates. Dancers and singers in medieval garb captivate crowds, while hundreds of artisans sell jewelry, hand-blown glassware, wood carvings and medieval fashions. Guests can enjoy acts on eight stages of entertainment, with performances by gypsy dancers and mystifying magicians. On the jousting field, armored knights battle one another from horseback for the honor of the king and queen. Another battle brews during the living chess match, in which King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table contend with the forces of evil as pieces on a living chessboard.
Children can embark on their own adventures by enjoying human-powered push rides and camel, elephant and pony rides. Guests who arrive early will be greeted by a gathering of performers, actors and characters. Linda Piper, Festival Coordinator, echoes the sentiments of many when she describes this unique "meet and greet" as her favorite part of the day.
Great Wares and Fine Food
The Faire showcases more than 160 talented artisans and craftspeople from all over the countryside, who arrive at Hoggetowne to display and sell a variety of goods. At the marketplace, visitors will find one-of-a-kind blacksmithing, jewelry, stone and wood carvings, weaving, hand-blown glassware, leather crafts, and period fashions. Vendors will also show how they create their works of art. If walking through the market makes visitors hungry, they can head to the food court for a feast fit for a king. Tasty bloomin’ onions, giant turkey legs, fresh-baked pastries, sweet potato fries and succulent ribs are just some of the foods available. Young lords and ladies can also be seen munching giant turkey legs.
 Record Crowds Expected
This year is going to be wonderful,” said Linda Piper, who is preparing for what she hopes will be a record number of visitors. “We’re expecting more than 50,000 guests this year. Some people wait all year to come to the Faire, and we’re thrilled to have them.”
Revelry and Recreation
Eight 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 while vendors urge visitors to play crossbow shooting and knife throwing. The astounding “Birds of Prey” show features trained hawks and falcons that perform for the pleasure of the crowds.
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Faire Hours:
Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29-30
& Feb. 5-6, 2011 from 10-6
Friday, February 4 from 9:30-3
Admission:
$14 for adults — $7 for ages 5-17
Friday admission is half price and
discounted prices for school groups.
No credit cards accepted for admission.
 Advance ticket sales at local Gator Domino's Pizza locations.
Location:
Alachua County Fairgrounds
2900 NE 39th Ave, 32609
Next to the Gainesville Regional Airport on SR 222
Directions:
From I-75 northern most Gainesville exit - Exit 390. Head East, follow signs to Gainesville Regional Airport. The fairgrounds are located on the left, right before the airport.
Contact Information:
City of Gainesville
Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
Sta. 30, PO Box 490
Gainesville, FL 32602
Phone: (352) 393-8536
Fax: (352) 334-2249
piperlr@cityofgainesville.org
Produced By:
The City of Gainesville
Division of Cultural Affairs
Linda Piper, Events Coordinator
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Entertainment and Education: Hand in Hand
On School Day, Friday, Feb. 4, thousands of children will get a firsthand look at history and enjoy a field trip filled with magic, excitement and adventure. Schools from all over Florida visit to learn about medieval times in an engaging and authentic educational environment.
School Day
This is a great opportunity for students studying the Middle Ages to experience what this time period was really like. Schools, home-school students and groups with special needs can receive discounted entrance fees by pre-registering, as well as a free educational guide filled with activities for before and after the Faire. Also, all admission on Friday is half price, and individuals with disabilities are admitted free.
The Royal Pavilion
This brightly colored pavilion is located near the entrance of the Faire. A green canopy shades the royal throne, upon which sit the King and Queen of Hoggetowne, flanked by their guards and heralds. It’s here that over the course of the Faire, more than a thousand children will become lords and ladies, dragon slayers and damsels of the royal court.
 The Royal Procession
King William and Queen Caroline will lead the Royal Procession through Hoggetowne’s crowded streets on Friday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The king and queen lead more than 100 actors, musicians and other performers through the streets of Hoggetowne to the jousting fields, where knights battle for the honor of the queen. One of the Faire’s most notable attractions is the joust, where knights in full armor charge each other on horseback, clashing in the middle of the field and battling mightily. Be sure not to miss this exciting event. Jousting begins at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Friday and 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Children's Activities
Families will enjoy the Children’s Pavilion with educational, hands-on, creative activities. An Art & Essay Contest in the Children’s Pavilion features the work of more than 300 local school children. There will be 56 prizewinners in six age groups and three categories representing talent from every grade level. The three grand-prize winners will receive a $25 gift certificate to be spent at the Medieval Faire, and a total of 56 first, second, and third place prizes will be given two guest passes to the Faire, a Hoggetowne commemorative T-shirt and an award certificate. The King and Queen of Hoggetowne will recognize the winners at an award ceremony held on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 2:30 p.m. in the Royal Pavilion.
A Noble Tradition
The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire is produced by the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs and is one of North Florida’s most beloved traditions. Don’t
miss out on this unique opportunity for entertainment, education, and a great time for the whole family.
List of Artisans
Cast of Characters
Living Chess Game
Entertainment Schedule
Site Map
Pets are not allowed inside the Faire.
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