HCECF - Homeschool Cooperative

On the 3rd of November of the year 2006, the homeschooling world gained a new term. Between shows Giacomo the Jester (Carl Asch) and Looney Lucy (Lynda Kavy) both of Empty Hats were talking with two local homeschool group leaders (Denny of HCECF and Amy of Golden Triangle Home Schoolers) at the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire in Tavares Florida. The conversation turned to homeschooling and how homeschoolers are never at home. Carl quipped, "It's not homeschooling; it's FAIREschooling". I couldn't agree with him more! The Faires are a great place to expand your family's learning adventure. Other members of Empty Hats were performing at this faire also - Victoria (Vicki) Scuteri and Little John. I'm sure Little John has a full name, but I don't know what it is. I can tell you he's a sweet guy who misses his family when he's on the road. We missed seeing Dimitris this year.

Thanks to all the members of Empty Hats for their great music, kind spirit and for giving the homeschool community the word for what many of us do when we're at the renaissance faires. Many homeschoolers become part of the cast or demos and many more just attend, but no matter our part we always take home some special bit of knowledge and memories of our learning adventure.

You Tube user faeriquene has done a brilliant editing job!

Borrowing words from my favorite bards, "And Cyrus asks the moonlight, do I have to make a choice?" No, you get bonus points if you hit ALL of them!

Bay Area Renaissance Festival (BARF) -  TAMPA- February - April (February 23 -April 6 2008)

• HCECF will be at this one!

Camelot Days - HOLLYWOOD - November (November 10-11, 2007)

Florida Pirate Festival - ST PETERSBURG - (November 16-18, 2007)

Florida Renaissance Festival (FlaRF)- DEERFIELD BEACH - February - March (February 9 - March 9, 2008)

Gasparilla Pirate Fest - TAMPA - January (January 26, 2008)

Georgia Renaissance Festival - AUBURN - April - June (April 12 - June 1, 2008)

Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire - PENSACOLA - March (March 1-2, 2008)

Highland Games - WINTER SPRINGS - January (January 19-20, 2008)

• Look for HCECF here at the Adrian Empire Encampment.

Hoggetowne Medieval Faire - GAINESVILLE - January - February (January 26 - February 3, 2008)

• Look for HCECF here! Meet up location is the Gypsy Stage.

Kiwanis Lee County Medieval Faire - FT MYERS - January (January 12-20, 2008)

Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire - TAVARES - November (November 7 - 9, 2008)

• Look for HCECF families at the Adrian Empire Encampment and at the Chivalry First sales booth at this faire!

Pirates in Paradise Festival - KEY WEST - November - December (November 29 - December 7, 2008)

Ringling Medieval Faire - SARASOTA - February (February 9-11, 2007 - not in 2008???)

Sarasota Medieval Faire - BRADENTON - April (April 5-6, 2008)

Sarasota Scottish Heritage Festival - SARASOTA - February

Tropical Fairy Festival - HOMESTEAD - May (May 10, 2007)

Daily Commercial news article:

http://www.dailycommercial.com/main.asp? Search=1&ArticleID=18292&SectionID=31&SubSectionID=&S=1

11/4/2006 Email this article • Print this article
Time warp appears near Tavares
Hickory Point Park visitors transported to medieval Europe

Brad Buck
Staff Writer

TAVARES - The Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire is a trip back in
time.

Dressed in a renaissance period costume, McKenzi Vanderburg is
acting at this weekend's Renaissance fair for several reasons.

"I really like the Renaissance, the era and the clothes - and I'm a
theater geek," the 13-year-old home schooler from Clermont said as
she took a break Friday. "You get to do Shakespeare improv."

Paige Crane, 16, a student at East Ridge High School, said she has
always wanted to do a festival. Plus, she likes the free food.

"Aye," Crane said in a faux-Shakespearean English dialect.

The weather started out great, with bright, sunny skies Friday
morning, but quickly turned overcast. Strong breezes also kicked up
some sand and dirt. But people's spirits remained hearty.

The Fifth Annual Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire continues from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Sunday at the Hickory Point Recreational
Facility on Little Lake Harris just south of Tavares on State Road
19.

Proceeds from the festival benefit the Educational Foundation of
Lake County.

The fair began in 2002, and lets people take a step back in time to
a fantasyland created to represent a European village.

Thousands of students from Lake, Sumter and surrounding counties
attended the 2006 Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire on Friday,
along with adults from all over.

Their entertainment included jousting, a hawk show, human chess
games and sword fights. Arts and crafts and vendors dotted the
landscape. Minstrels dressed in period costume walked the grounds.

Students also interacted with various cast members, collecting clues
to solve a mystery - or just playing games

For example, some cast members formed a circle and got some children
to join them, chanting, "hefty, hefty, wimpy, wimpy." Hefty was for
large steps, wimpy for the small ones.

Another group played "waddle and quack," imitating ducks.

Across the way, an actor shouted for people to join him and his
dueling partner for "The Pirates Comedy Sword-Fighting Show."

Later, after a human chess match, Stephen Choquette of Orlando
explained his unchoreographed rapier show.

About 15 years ago, he said, his Marines unit was stationed in
Beirut, Lebanon, and he saw some fellow troops reenacting medieval
activities. He said he returned to the states and found national
organizations that put on the shows.

"The kids will learn history as they see it," Choquette said.

Denny Zahrt, also part of the Adrian Empire (Choquette's troupe),
said her children, also part of the show, love Shakespeare because
they've learned the Bard's work by witnessing it.

Sandy Bekemeyer of Apopka and her mother, Diane Anderson of
Zellwood, took a snack break under a tent as she watched a show.

"So far, it has been great," Bekemeyer said. "The activities, the
jousting. It's like you've gone back in time. The characters get you
involved."

The fair features more than 100 performers, including jugglers,
knights in armor, jousting, fire-eaters, pirates, dancers,
villagers, peasants, historical characters and musicians.

More than 20 artisans offer their goods in the village, working in
media such as glass blowing, pottery, leather work, blacksmithing,
sculpture and candle making. The crafts and entertainment combine
with thematic games and foods to create a glimpse of marketplace
celebrations and life in the 16th century.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for children 3 to 12 years old and
free for children three and younger. This afternoon admission for
those 55 and older is $5.