It’s been 30 years since the first knights and maidens gathered in Gainesville.
The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, organized by the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, will take place at the Alachua County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday, and again from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7.
Linda Piper, an events coordinator for the Division of Cultural Affairs, said this year’s theme is The Adventures of King Arthur.
The event will feature Celtic music, acrobats, dancers and magicians on nine stages, along with more than 160 artisans throughout the grounds.
The event began 30 years ago when the Society for Creative Anachronism helped produce the fair in exchange for free office space at the Thomas Center, Piper said.
Since Piper took over the event 22 years ago, its budget has grown from $50,000 to $300,000, and daily attendance is expected to reach 12,000.
Bill Hutchinson, the DCA’s entertainment producer, said every performer is chosen for his or her ability to bring the event to life.
“The idea is to create the illusion of being in a medieval village in the springtime, right after winter,” he said.
The fair will open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both weekends, and from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 5. Admission is $17 for adults, $7 for children and free for kids under 5 years old. Tickets will be discounted on Feb. 5, at $8 for adults and $3.50 for children.
