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Sarasota Medieval Fair begins its run in Myakka City


  • By Liz Ramos
  • | 9:00 a.m. November 5, 2023
Sarasota's Mark Dietz dresses for the occasion with his 10-year-old daughter Livia Dietz, 8-year-old son Marek Dietz and wife, Erin Dietz. Livia Dietz says she loves the human chess matches at the fair.
Sarasota's Mark Dietz dresses for the occasion with his 10-year-old daughter Livia Dietz, 8-year-old son Marek Dietz and wife, Erin Dietz. Livia Dietz says she loves the human chess matches at the fair.
Photo by Liz Ramos
  • East County
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It is like going to a costume party and coming home with something extra to wear to the next one.

Each year, Palm Aire's Danny Smith and Carol Binion put together costumes to wear to the Sarasota Medieval Fair. Their outfits range from pirates, to Celtic assassins, to full leather outfits with a broadsword. 

And each year, they find something they will incorporate into their dress in the future.

"We love going by the vendors to buy something every year to add to our collection," Smith said.

They certainly aren't alone. When they attended this year's opening day, Nov. 4, of the Sarasota Medieval Fair at the Woods of Mallaranny in Myakka City, they said they saw even more people than in the past who had dressed for the occasion.

No matter what they were wearing, all those in attendance seemed to be enjoying the music, shows and vendors that transport them back in time. 

The event continues from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 26. 

Bradenton 10-year-old Reise McKowen, Kairie McKowen, Dar Wolf and Annie McKowen have been attending the Sarasota Medieval Fair for three years, dressing up for the past two.
Bradenton 10-year-old Reise McKowen, Kairie McKowen, Dar Wolf and Annie McKowen have been attending the Sarasota Medieval Fair for three years, dressing up for the past two.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Palm Aire's Danny Smith and Carol Binion go to the Sarasota Medieval Fair every year and have several outfits from which to choose. They love seeing how others dress up in costume.
Palm Aire's Danny Smith and Carol Binion go to the Sarasota Medieval Fair every year and have several outfits from which to choose. They love seeing how others dress up in costume.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Ichabod Wingwright takes on the wheel of death.
Ichabod Wingwright takes on the wheel of death.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Sarasota's Mark Dietz dresses for the occasion with his 10-year-old daughter Livia Dietz, 8-year-old son Marek Dietz and wife, Erin Dietz. Livia Dietz says she loves the human chess matches at the fair.
Sarasota's Mark Dietz dresses for the occasion with his 10-year-old daughter Livia Dietz, 8-year-old son Marek Dietz and wife, Erin Dietz. Livia Dietz says she loves the human chess matches at the fair.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Sam Kuecker slices a cabbage while riding Abraham during the hunting games.
Sam Kuecker slices a cabbage while riding Abraham during the hunting games.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Liam Selvey of The Harmless Danger Juggling Show shows off his juggling talents. He is a second generation circus performer who has been juggling since he was 6 years old.
Liam Selvey of The Harmless Danger Juggling Show shows off his juggling talents. He is a second generation circus performer who has been juggling since he was 6 years old.
Photo by Liz Ramos
A match of human combat chess is in play at the Sarasota Medieval Fair.
A match of human combat chess is in play at the Sarasota Medieval Fair.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Charlotte County's Traci Myers and Laura Kohn love everything about the Sarasota Medieval Fair.
Charlotte County's Traci Myers and Laura Kohn love everything about the Sarasota Medieval Fair. "The energy of this place is amazing," Myers says. "I love to see the costumes, the shows and the musicians."
Photo by Liz Ramos
Arcadia's Natalia Bargnesi attends the Sarasota Medieval Fair with her friend Mikala Frank, who is visiting from Connecticut. Frank says the fair is better than any medieval fair she's been to before.
Arcadia's Natalia Bargnesi attends the Sarasota Medieval Fair with her friend Mikala Frank, who is visiting from Connecticut. Frank says the fair is better than any medieval fair she's been to before.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Brian Howard, also known as Broon, juggles fire, an apple and a bowling ball.
Brian Howard, also known as Broon, juggles fire, an apple and a bowling ball.
Photo by Liz Ramos
North Port's Shawn Thatch, Linda Thatch, JT Stanley and Rebecca Stanley fit right in at the Sarasota Medieval Fair with their costumes.
North Port's Shawn Thatch, Linda Thatch, JT Stanley and Rebecca Stanley fit right in at the Sarasota Medieval Fair with their costumes.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Port Charlotte's Robert Berry, Donna Graves and TJ Graves go to the Sarasota Medieval Fair each year, and they blend in well.
Port Charlotte's Robert Berry, Donna Graves and TJ Graves go to the Sarasota Medieval Fair each year, and they blend in well.
Photo by Liz Ramos
Fort Myers' Chelsey Wells, Colby Ewing and Finnley Terlizzi get inspiration for their costumes from their Dungeons and Dragons characters.
Fort Myers' Chelsey Wells, Colby Ewing and Finnley Terlizzi get inspiration for their costumes from their Dungeons and Dragons characters.
Photo by Liz Ramos

 

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.

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