It’s that time of the year again! The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire has returned to Gainesville, FL! We loaded up the caravan and hit the road for a day at the faire. Due to the pandemic, we haven’t attended the faire since 2019 and my first time attending was in 2009, so I was dying to return and keep the tradition alive. Read on to learn what I love about Hoggetowne and what’s new this year since they moved to their new location.

The faire takes place every year on the last two weekends of January and the first weekend in February. Tickets can be bought the day of but I prefer buying them online. Parking isn’t bad but you may need to be prepared for some walking or you can wait to jump on a small shuttle to the entrance. Adult ticket prices are $20 for a full day of shows, access to a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, and just the chance to dress up with other people who love fantasy just as much as you do. It’s well worth the money.

Check out their website for details on time, date, and ticket prices

The new location seems to provide more room for the vendors compared to previous years and I felt the walk from parking to the actual faire was shorter. The website does encourage masks but they are not required. Because it’s outdoors, and there is a lot of room for social distancing, I felt very safe attending the faire. Plus, if you enjoy dressing up like I do, it’s easy to make a mask fit in with a costume for those moments you may get too close to someone.

Another new change to the faire was a scavenger hunt for attendees. We enjoyed finding clues as a family and at the end of the day, my daughter turned in her scorecard for a piece of treasure.

The vendors are full of amazing artists and artisans of some of the most fun medieval-inspired items you can imagine. Expects lots of leather clothing, “magical” trinkets, elf ears, and talismans to choose from. My husband and I agree to buy one pricey item every year for the home or to build up our cosplay game. This year, my husband treated himself to a beautifully made, green vest with gold buttons.

Included in your ticket is the option to watch a wide variety of shows. We hit up the jousting tournament, Da Vinci Brothers comedy show, and the amazing Barely Balanced acrobats! These performers are dedicated to their craft and have been present since I first came years ago. I love it when I get a chance to talk to them and learn about their experiences because their lives are fascinating.

We played some carnival-like games with a medieval flare to them and tried our hands at archery. After some activities, we filled our stomachs with some yummy food, and thankfully they had a vegetarian burrito option. I have to admit, we also love going for the beer! They have two beer tents run by a local brewery, and they really get into the spirit making the tent feel more like a tavern. You can meet some interesting characters there! Ask them for a “bee sting” which is a little shot of mead they’ll add to your beer for a fun twist. Oh and don’t forget to tip! “Huzzah to the tipper!!”