by erin thursby scopes1925@msn.com
What: Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
When: Friday 9AM-4PM, Saturday & Sunday 10AM-6PM
Where: Alachua County Fair Grounds
It’s a real mélange of times and styles at the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, so I had almost as much fun looking at the crowd as I did watching the shows and the wandering minstrels. I spotted a punked-out girl in a towering faux-hawk hairdo and another wearing a corset with sneakers and jeans. Represented in this mishmash of ages were all of medieval times, on through to the time of Victoria and today. Similarly, all age groups were wandering the crowds, from tiny tots to sturdy old men.
I hadn’t been back to the Faire in quite a few years, and there have been a few changes, mostly for the better. First, it’s even more kid-friendly than it used to be, with plenty of rides and games. It’s a perfect place to take your wanna-be princess or fairy because they can dress up for the event or get more princess attire. Boys will love the sword-play and may take a wooden sword home. The food selection is also even more extensive than it used to be. Even if you aren’t into the medieval standard (a large turkey or chicken leg) you can find all of the food you’ll find at most fairs, albeit served by a wench. Belly dancers and a Middle Eastern flavor used to be a larger part of the Faire, but I didn’t see much of that this year, except for the Sahnobar Dancers. Most of the coined belts sold at the booths were called “Gypsy” or “pirate-wear” instead. I did see more Roman legions and more of a Roman slant than I had in past years.
You’ll enjoy listening to the historical tidbits the volunteers dole out to the kids in the crowd about kings and the decaying Roman legions. But it’s not just about times Medieval, when the men were men and the women were damsels, it’s also about a heaping helping of fantasy, dragons and fairy folk. The nostalgia is selective, as nostalgia tends to be, focusing on the epic and the interesting.
As you enter the Faire, you’ll be handed a Hoggetowne grab bag, with the latest issue of the Gainesville Sun, several ads/coupons and the most important item - the Hoggetowne guide, which includes a map, a list of booths and an entertainment schedule. If you’re the organized type or you catch the end of an act you’d like to see in its entirety, it’s a helpful tool. Otherwise, just wander around. With 8 performance areas, most of which run some sort of show every half-hour, you’ll get your money’s worth even if you never glance at the program. I was impressed with the acrobatic work of Barely Balanced and enjoyed the Celtic music from the entertaining Empty Hats. The combat demos of fencing and jousting are always a big favorite, and this year was no exception.
The booths at the Faire sell a wide variety. It’s the place to get clothes you won’t find anywhere else at pretty decent prices, without having to go to a catalogue. Faux medieval clothes, fairy wings galore, peacock feathers and all kinds of leather work were just a few of the things you could find at the Faire. There was also a ton of jewelry, from pressed clay embossed with gold to filigree wire-work necklaces. You could also buy armor, well-forged steel swords and made-to-order cloaks.
I’d say that Hoggetown is well worth the time you’ll spend driving and the price of admission. It’s a little less than an hour and a half to the Alachua County Fairgrounds from Jacksonville. Make it your weekend road trip!
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