Flashing sparks and clanking swords attracted about 200 people to a scene typical of the Middle Ages on the Plaza of the Americas on Wednesday afternoon.
Performers from Kissimmee's Medieval Times dinner show joined a small group of local falcon trainers and UF Juggling Club members for a medieval weapons demonstration.
Onlookers encircled the performers during two shows timed to attract students coming out of adjourned classes.
The event was sponsored by the UF Center for Medieval and Early Modern Studies as part of its eighth annual Carnevale Symposium, a program that studies Carnevale, the celebration before Easter.
Two knights in full costume from Medieval Times entertained the crowd during several choreographed sword fights.
Jason Jones, who played the "bad" knight in a green costume, provoked onlookers by doing the Seminole chop with his sword during the battle.
The few students who shouted "Gator bait!" and "You're in Gainesville!" in retaliation, however, did not satisfy the show's green-clad antagonist.
"I would have liked more boos in my direction," Jones said. "I don't care what these people in 'Swampville' think of me."
Parker Stevens, 6, was among a few children dressed in medieval costumes at the event.
"I wanted the green knight to win," Parker said after the last battle.
Frank Weber, who dressed in a royal blue outfit as a chancellor from Medieval Times, said he wasn't worried about any of the children hurting themselves while examining the weapons.
"Frankly, the children are much more respectful of the weapons than the adults," Weber said.
Will Hasty, UF professor of German Studies and co-director of the Center for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, said he was pleased with Wednesday's turnout, which he said was higher than last year's.
"I think it went extremely well," Hasty said.
He said the event was not solely meant to draw attention to medieval and early modern times but also to kickoff a colloquium on Monday that will explore the evolution of medieval gaming.
Kristen Perry, a UF freshman, was pulled from the audience during the show to demonstrate the force of the bola, which is used to injure offenders by quickly flailing small steel balls attached to a steel chain.
Perry, holding a metal shield for protection and standing firm in high heels, prepared to take the brunt of a speeding bola thrashed by Jones, but Weber pulled her away at the last second.
"I was scared, but it was a lot of fun," she said.
