Cape Coral's John Svidroniv IV paints himself green as a goblin for the Sarasota Medieval Fair, where creatures of all shapes and sizes gather for a magical day.
Photo by Madison Bierl
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For Cape Coral's Kari Cordisco, stepping into the Sarasota Medieval Fair Nov. 2 felt like entering another world.
She was right at home in her viking costume, showcasing her Scandinavian spirit and her adventurous heart.
"I came because I love celebrating history, fantasy, and community in one place and I’m always up for an excuse to bring a little sparkle to the battlefield," Cordisco said. "I traveled for this because these kinds of events are my happy place — they blend art, storytelling, and heart, which is exactly what I love sharing with others. Every fair has its own soul, and this one had such warmth and humor that it was worth every mile."
Cordisco won the day's costume contest alongside Sarasota's Nick Blair, who is no stranger to the fair. He was dressed as a viking as well and said it is a "good bit of fun being a local."
"The shows they have on the schedule are a must watch," Blair said. "The vendors are very into the theme of what they are trying to sell. It's a very fun time all in all."
Jennifer Barnam attended with her daughter Ashley Dobson. They go to as many fairs around Florida as they can and Barnam said it was their first time at the Sarasota Medieval Fair. She said Mallaranny Farms, the setting of the event, is the nicest grounds she has visited for such an event.
"Everyone was welcoming and fun and very interactive with guests," Barnam said. "That is my favorite part, the ability to lose yourself in the experience and enjoy the surroundings and people."
Miranda Cassidy traveled from Orlando and sported a homemade mushroom hat.
"There’s truly no group of people like this," Cassidy said. "It’s such a unique experience, and the community is extremely welcoming to all walks of life."
The event is held every Saturday and Sunday in November. For more information visit SarasotaMedievalFair.com.
Dale Asberry says he loves "roasting" or insulting both adults and children at the Torment Tomato booth. He says he gets hit every one in 20 throws of tomatoes.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Port Charlotte's Evalene Abad, 6, gives her all to axe throwing, which makes her feel powerful and strong.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Tampa's Nicole Droeger Stephens, dressed as Toothless from "How To Train Your Dragon," watches as her husband James Stephens participates in the Washing Well Wenches show. James is the more introverted of the two, but was willing to embarrass himself for Nicole.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sebring's Ray Barry is one of the audience members to become part of the Washing Well Wenches show. He said he will do anything to make his wife Lisa smile.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Nick Blair and Cape Coral's Kari Cordisco make new friends out of each other when they both won the costume contest during the viking themed weekend.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Broon, a comedian who provides a show that is fun for the whole family, juggles fire, a ball and an apple taking bites in between throwing it. He has been doing the apple trick for 30 years.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Mother and daughter duo Jennifer Barnam and Ashley Dobson travel all over Florida to attend different renaissance fairs. Barnam says this is their first time at Sarasota Medieval Fair and she enjoys how welcoming and interactive the performers are.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Gerty of the Washing Well Wenches provides "stupid fun" through comedic act with lots of audience interaction. She has been wenching for the past 15 years.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Acrobellum, a colorful comedic acrobat show, includes people stacking and hilarious hijinks.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's April Held and Venice's Alan Saldivar enjoy turkey legs at Sarasota Medieval Fair. Saldivar describes it as delicious, juicy, tender and mouth watering.
Photo by Madison Bierl
New Riders of the Golden Age perform theatrical medieval jousts at the Sarasota Medieval Fair on horseback.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Clearwater's Hannah Dragan made her cape from scratch to dress as Ella of Frell from the movie "Ella Enchanted." Palmetto's Isabella Johnson helped Dragan make her Benny book, who was accidentally turned into a book in the movie.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Tampa's Ivan Blanco, Jimmy Luu, Alex Salce, Jackson Hornsby and Michael Tomas dress to impress at the Sarasota Medieval Fair.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Orlando's Sebastian White and Miranda Cassidy dress as mushrooms. Cassidy made her hat from scratch and hands out different mushroom themed trinkets to other festival goers because she loves seeing people light up.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Tampa's Katie Brown hand crafted hats and capes for herself, Alex Buck, Christian Brown, Rebecca Parrillo and Jacob Zelen in order to dress up as gnomes.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Pasco County's Sarah Burkart says she loves to be overtheatrical in any way she can. That includes creating her Inky cap mushroom inspired look, which took her 100 hours to perfect.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Turkey legs are among the popular food items at Sarasota Medieval Fair along with funnel cakes, fried oreos, pork and more.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Brother and sister duo Clifton Burton and Kelly Harless play Jomswikinger, an old viking game. They must keep one hand on the chest, ask the question "May I hit you with a fish?" and try to get the other person out by making contact blindfolded.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
