What is the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire?
For two weekends each year, the clear blast of trumpets mingles with the laughter of children as the kingdom of Hoggetowne opens its gates. Performers in period garb sing and dance in the streets, while knights joust on horseback and magicians captivate the crowds. Tucked away in the enchanted forest of the Alachua County Fairgrounds in Gainesville, Florida this medieval marketplace will come to life for our 6th Grade Students on Friday, February 5th. Hoggetowne is home to more than 160 talented artisans from across the country who journey to the Faire to sell and demonstrate their traditional wares. Visitors can find one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, stone and wood carvings, blacksmithing, weaving, hand-blown glassware, medieval clothing and leather goods.This expedition into the past will build upon the student exposure to diverse cultures in history being covered in their 6th Grade World History classes!
One of the Faire’s most popular attractions is the joust, where knights in full body armor battle on horseback. Students can meet the knights and their magnificent steeds. In conjunction with this year’s theme of “The Adventures of King Arthur,” the Tournament Field will host a stunning show of combat entertainment during a Living Chess Match as King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table battle the forces of evil. Visitors can also engage in traditional medieval games of chance and skill. They can shoot arrows, refine their fencing skills – or they can navigate their way through a winding maze. Thrilling human-powered push rides, as well as camel and elephant rides, attract eager students and adventurous adults.The sound of applause echoes from the Faire’s nine stages, where the forgotten skills of full-flight falconry, gripping aerial acrobatics and old-world magic come to life. Jugglers, knife throwers and gypsy dancers add to the excitement as they fill the streets of Hoggetowne.After roaming the streets of Hoggetowne and working up an appetite, students can enjoy a feast fit for a king at the food court. The tempting aromas of freshly baked pastries, blooming onions, sweet potato fries, giant turkey legs and succulent ribs attract scores of lords and ladies from across the realm!
Student Behavior
Where ever you go during your time at the fair, you are representing not only yourself but the reputation of Swift Creek Middle School. All school rules apply during the course of the field trip and any violation of school policy will result in a disciplinary referral. Remember, we are guests at the Faire alongside other paying guests who are not a part of our group. At all times you should be respectful of others, using kind and appropriate language and behaving in a courteous and honorable manner. Students are encouraged to interact with the artisans at the fair and participate in the many fair activities with the exception of:
· Knife Throwing
· Axe Throwing
For safety reasons, these activities will be strictly off limits to Swift Creek students during this field trip. By signing the attached permission form you are agreeing to abide by these rules and to honor your commitment to representing Swift Creek Middle School accordingly.
Groups/Buses
For this trip, students will be assigned to a particular chaperone group. Students will have the opportunity to sign up for chaperone groups through their Science Classes. Chaperone group assignments and bus assignments will be posted in the 6th grade hallway and outside of Mr. Rousseau’s room. While at the fair, students must always be with their designated chaperone. At no point should a student be by themselves in the fair. If a student is found without their chaperone or teacher with them they will be assigned to a teacher for the remainder of the trip and may receive disciplinary action. There will always be a teacher located at the Blue Boar Inn, a central and highly visible meeting place at the fair. Students will be responsible for maintaining proper behavior at all times and following the trip schedule listed below.
Medication
Unless you are going with your child on the trip, all medications (make sure your child’s name is on it) must be sealed in a zip lock bag and handed to Mrs. Clary in its original container along with a medication form. You will find the medication form attached. A parent must turn the medication in with the filled out form prior to or the morning of the trip.
When: Friday, February 5th, 2016
Where: Hoggetowne Medieval Faire in Gainesville, FL
Cost: $35 per student/chaperone (Includes Bus and Admission)
* Bring at least $20 additional spending money for lunch, souvenirs and optional activities at the fair.
Drop off: At parent pick-up at 6:15 a.m. (meet in the cafeteria)
Pick-up: At parent pick-up area at 5:45 p.m.
Payment: $35 in cash, check or money order will be collected before school from 9:00AM -9:25AM in the 6th Grade Hallway on the mornings of November 30th – December 2nd. Payment will only be accepted with a signed permission form. Please do not turn in money before these dates.
· Students must have maintained a 2.0 GPA and acceptable behavior to participate in school field trips.
· All students must have an up-to-date AP form on file.
Items to Bring
· Student MUST Wear the TEAL Swift Creek Field Trip Shirt or any other TEAL SCMS shirt. Shirts are available for purchase from Mrs. Lucas for $10. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE IN DRESS CODE.
· At least $20 in spending money to purchase lunch at the fair and participate in other fair activities. Additional money should be brought for the purchase of unique artisan items and craft goods available at the fair.
Optional Items
· Cell Phone, camera, G or PG rated movies
*NOTE: No flash photography allowed on the bus. Violators of this rule will be issued a referral.
You may have electronic devices (video games, mp3 players) on the bus, but they won’t be taken into the fair. All electronic devices or personal items are the responsibility of the student.
· A blanket, jacket or pillow for the bus as it may be cold.
· Snacks – You may have snacks on the bus, but no sticky candy will be allowed. Only drinks with a screw-top lid will be allowed on the buses. (No canned sodas or glass bottles allowed)
Schedule
6:15AM Arrive at SCMS at parent drop-off/pickup entrance and immediately go to your bus table in the cafeteria to check in.
Students should have eaten breakfast before getting on the bus. They may bring something with them to eat in the cafeteria while we are waiting to load.
6:30AM – Students/Chaperones Report to Cafeteria
6:45AM – Final Instructions/Load Busses
9:15AM – Arrive at Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
9:30AM – 3:00PM – At Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
(Lunch with your groups at the Fair)
3:00PM – Meet back at fair entrance
3:15PM – Load Busses/Depart from Hoggetowne Medieval Faire
5:45PM – Arrive at SCMS
Disclaimer
*With any activity/fieldtrip which requires a fee there is always the possibility that the exact costs will not be specifically determined until after the activity/trip occurs and the participant numbers are noted. Any funds remaining from the activity/fieldtrip will be used for miscellaneous end-of-the-year student activities.