Renaissance Fairs in Florida January Through June

Avast, me hearties! It be time for you to enjoy a rousing renaissance fair with piratical flair! And there are several to attend in Florida from January through June.

Kiwanis Lee County Medieval Faire - Located approximately 20 miles east of Fort Myers in Lehigh Acres, Florida. This fair will be held weekends January 12^th - 19^th 2008 from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm. Parking will be free. Tickets will be approximately $10 for adults and $6 for children. Those wishing to attend in period clothing must keep weapons sheathed and peace-tied. Exciting jousting three times daily, dramatic sword fights, and a living chess match will captivate visitors. Musicians, jugglers, games, and rides will delight young and old. Vendors will tempt with their fine clothing, jewelry, weapons, food, drink, and more. For additional details, visit their website at http://www.medieval-faire.com.

Hoggetowne Medieval Faire - Located approximately 70 miles south of Jacksonville in Gainesville, Florida. This fair will be held weekends January 26^th - February 3^rd 2008 from Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. They will also be open February 2^nd from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm for a School Day. Parking will be free. Tickets will be $12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 5-17, and children under 5 free. Those wishing to dress up will need to keep weapons sheathed and peace-tied. Impressive demonstrations of blacksmithing, weaving, leatherworking, woodcarving, and pottery will provide educational fun for all ages. Visitors will enjoy musicians, jugglers, jousting knights, birds of prey, and more. Skilled artisans will be offering jewelry, stone carvings, glassware, leather crafts, clothing, and much more. For more information, visit their website at http://www.gvlculturalaffairs.org/website/programs_events/HMF/medieval_index.html.

Florida Renaissance Festival - Located approximately 40 miles north of Miami in Deerfield Beach, Florida. This fair will be held weekends February 9^th - March 9^th 2008, as well as Monday President's Day February 18^th, from 10:00 am until Sunset. Additionally they will be open for a School Day Monday February 11^th from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm. Parking will be free. Tickets will be $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $7 for kids ages 6 - 12, and free for children under 6 years old. Those who wish to dress in period attire must keep weapons sheathed and peace-tied. Special events include themed weekends such as pirates, celtic, and fantasy. There will be 12 stages featuring beautiful music, engaging storytelling, thrilling swordplay, hilarious comedy, and more. Vendors will offer artfully crafted items such as toys, jewelry, and clothing. Additional detail can be found on their website at http://www.ren-fest.com.

Ringling Medieval Faire - Located approximately 55 miles south of Tampa in Sarasota, Florida. This fair will be held in early to mid-February 2008 from 10:00 am - 6:30 pm. Parking will be free. Ticket prices will be approximately $15 for adults, $7 for kids ages 5 - 12, and free for children ages 4 and under. Those wishing to dress in costume will not be allowed to carry weapons of any kind. Special events will include a School Day. Enchanting music, thrilling jousts, and magic shows will be among the entertainment provided by talented performers. Several vendors will be offering finely crafted wares and tempting foods and beverages. More information can be found on their website at http://www.renaissancefest.com/Sarasota/home.html.

Bay Area Renaissance Festival - Located in Tampa, Florida. This fair will be held mid-February - March 2008 from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Parking will be free. Tickets will be approximately $16 for adults, $13 for seniors ages 55 and older, $8 for kids ages 5 - 12, and children under age will be free. Those who wish to dress in costume will not be permitted to carry weapons. Special events will include a School Day and themed weekends. This fair also offers wedding packages. Visitors will appreciate diverting music, sensational sword fighting, thrilling birds of prey, breathtaking jousting, and more. Vendors will entice with fine items such as leather goods, clothing, jewelry, pottery, musical instruments, and heraldry. For more detail, visit their website at http://www.renaissancefest.com/home.html.

Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire - Located in Pensacola, Florida. This fair will be held March 1^st - 2^nd in 2008 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Parking will be free. Tickets will be $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5 - 11, and free for children under 5 years old. Those who decide to dress in period attire will be required to keep weapons sheathed and peace-tied. No alcohol will be sold or permitted. The festival will include masterful jousting knights, mystical magicians, majestic falconry, amusing jugglers, exotic dancers, astonishing fire breathers, and much more. Visitors will enjoy fun games and rides in between admiring the various crafts offered. More information can be found on their website at http://www.gcrf.net.

Lee Island Pirate Days Festival - Located approximately 155 miles west of Miami in Fort Myers, Florida. This fair will be held one weekend in mid-April 2008 from 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm Saturday and 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm Sunday. Exact dates will be announced. Tickets will be approximately $14 for adults, and $6 for kids under 12 years old. Those wishing to dress in costume will only be allowed unloaded period firearms, and blades must be kept sheathed and peace-tied. Features include a sea battle, rides, games, food and drink, and continuous entertainment on 3 stages. Though they do have a website, http://www.leepiratefest.com, at the time this article was written it was not available.

Manatee Renaissance Festival - Located approximately 45 miles south of Tampa in Palmetto, Florida. This fair is held weekends May 5^th - 13^th from 9:00 am - dusk. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for students, and $11 for seniors age 60 and older and kids up to age 12. Those who wish to dress in period attire must keep weapons peace-tied. No alcohol will be permitted. Visitors can enjoy stunning jousting and sword fights, impressive human chess matches and birds of prey, captivating music and dancing, and much more. For more detail, visit their website at http://www.manateerenaissance.com/index.htm.

So whether your tastes run to pirates of the high seas or more traditional medieval fun, chart your course for a renaissance fair in Florida!