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Gainesville to move Hogtown Medieval Fair to Raceway in bid to restore scale
Summary
City staff recommended and the commission approved directing staff to pursue a two‑week, ticketed Hogtown Medieval Fair at Gainesville Raceway; organizers project higher costs and ticket revenue and plan a preview in downtown to maintain local engagement.
City commissioners on Monday directed staff to move forward with plans to host the 40th Hogtown Medieval Fair at Gainesville Raceway, shifting the event from its recent downtown format to a larger, ticketed two‑week model.
Parks and cultural affairs staff presented a Raceway proposal that would lease the back portion of the track for two weekends at a rental cost of $80,000 and estimated total expenses of roughly $592,427 for the move. Staff said projected ticket and booth revenue of $510,643, combined with city and county contributions, would produce about $650,643 to cover the planned program and restore features such as jousting and larger performers that the downtown site could not safely accommodate.
The recommendation emphasized the logistical benefits of the Raceway site, including available parking and the ability to stage tournaments and larger performances. Staff noted that converting the event to a ticketed, enclosed venue increases costs for equipment, staffing, security and parking management compared with the prior free format at Depot Park.
Commissioners and staff discussed pricing and access: staff said an adult ticket was proposed near $20–$25 with discounted “family Friday” and school‑day rates. Organizers plan a downtown preview event the weekend before the fair to sustain local engagement and explore tiered pricing for residents and visitors.
The commission moved to direct staff to continue work on producing the two‑week event at the Raceway and to prepare logistics and budget details; the motion passed unanimously on the city side.
City staff said they will continue refining projections, consider transportation options (including shuttles), and pursue sponsorships and grant funding to reduce resident costs. A final contract and further implementation details will return to commissioners for approval before committing the lease.
