Medieval Fair
February 6, 2011
Samantha Franco
In the heart of Alachua County, surrounded by a moat of cars and
modern suburban living, lies a medieval kingdom that invites commoners to
visit only two weekends a year.
This past weekend, the kingdom opened its gates and allowed guests
to experience the time of King Arthur.
Medieval cultural was alive with the constant background noise of
droning drums, ringing tambourines and clanging metal.
Crowds roared, street performers whistled and hooves pitter-pattered
along the dirt paths, as vendors flattered and beckoned you to buy their
products. The most visibly popular tent, Ye Ole Ale House, had people
forming long lines to buy a beer in an authentic hollow horn. Bearded
jewelers promised you a prosperous life if you bought their handmade Celtic
knot pendants. Other merchants enticed taste buds with the aroma of slowroasted turkey legs, which were cooked to a deep-pink, juicy perfection.
And no matter where you were standing, someone was cheering in
an old English accent, “Welcome to the Hoggetowne 25th Annual Medieval
Faire.”
The fair, which was held the weekends of Jan. 29-30 and Feb. 4-6 at
the Alachua County fairgrounds, featured a marketplace of 165 artisans,
eight stages for performances, an elephant, a camel and many horseback
knights.
According to Linda Piper, events coordinator of the City of
Gainesville Division of Cultural Affairs, it took two weeks to set up King
Arthur’s kingdom.
Piper has watched the event flourish throughout its 25 years in
Alachua County. Originally, Hoggestowne only attracted 5,000 people on a
single weekend and only displayed 60 artisans. It is now one of Florida’s
most prominent and stable medieval fairs, expected to attract more than
50,000 people in two weekends this year.
“People come to Gainesville to cheer on the Gators, but they also
come to experience the tradition of Hoggestowne,” Piper said.
In fact, Piper said 56 percent of visitors come to the fair from outside
of Alachua County. She said it is a spectacle that a lot of northern Floridians
travel to see.
Piper attributes the fair’s popularity to its nationally known reputation
and the tight-knit family the fair has created. All of the artisans are friends,
united by their love of medieval arts and games.
In 1990, Al and Carolyn Gardner, a couple from a small town in
northwestern Indiana, were invited by the crafts director to join the
travelling family.
The Gardners’ booth drew in a large group of people. Mr. Gardener, a
self-taught glassblowing master, stunned pedestrians as he sat at his
workstation, which jut out into the walkway, and worked on a white
Pegasus. He gently melted rods of glass using the flame from a scaly, firebreathing dragon torch. His “young groupies,” ranging from 12 to 16 years
old, watched diligently in their Robin Hood outfits.
As flattering as it is to have fans, Mrs. Gardner said, that’s not why
they’ve stayed in the fair.
She said she and her husband continue to participate in the tradition
because of the strong family-like bonds they have made with the other
artisans over the years. The fair is like a “commonplace” to them where they
can meet up with their friends and make memories.
Mrs. Gardner said she once sold a $500 piece that stood over a foot
tall at a fair. The figurine was of violet Morning Glory flowers and a small
hummingbird on top. The man who bought it transferred it back to Europe in
a carry-on backpack. Amazingly, the glass didn’t break.
“We’ve had a great time in the business and have so many good
stories,” she said, “But we don’t really like Florida; there are too many
people.”
According to Piper, the Hoggestowne Medieval Fair hosted so many
people this year that 240 volunteers and 8 interns were needed for assistance.
She said the event has grown dramatically and looks forward to next years
Hoggetown.
Sources:
Linda Piper
Phone: 352-284-7660
Email: piperlr@cityofgainesville.org
Al and Carolyn Gardner
Phone: 219-326-7941
Website: http://www.creationsinglass.net/index.htm