Eight stages of entertainment and 160 artisans will take Gainesville back in time starting this weekend at the 24th annual Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, organized by the City of Gainesville Division of Cultural Affairs.
Linda Piper, the events coordinator for the festival, said the fair is one of the most well-known in the country with more than 50,000 people traveling from as far away as Louisiana.
“I’ve been producing the Faire for 15 years and have watched it grow bigger and better each year,” Piper said.
The event will feature music and magicians from aerial acts to acrobatics.
In medieval fashion, there will be jousting and human-powered rides, she said.
“I think this is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle we all live and experience a really fun time where things are simpler and easier,” Piper said. “It’s just a fantasy world.”
The fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and on Feb. 6 and 7. It will also be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 5.
Admission is $14 for adults and $7 for children ages 5 to 17. On Feb. 5, admission will be half-price.