Sarasota Medieval Fair returns Nov. 7 with jousting, Viking battles and family fun

MYAKKA CITY, Fla. (WWSB) - Knights on horseback, Viking warriors and a bustling artisan marketplace will welcome visitors as the Sarasota Medieval Fair returns for its 22nd anniversary.The fair runs Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 7 through Dec. 6 at the Woods of Mallaranny at Mallaranny Farms in Myakka City. Hours are 9:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., rain or shine.Combat cast members Tim White and Bruce LaFollette joined Karen Kim on ABC7 News at 1 to preview this year’s entertainment and share important changes for visitors buying tickets.This year’s storyline draws inspiration from the Viking Siege of Paris in 845 A.D., blending historical accounts and legends into live performances.White, the fair’s combat captain, plays Norse leader Ragnar Sigurdsson. LaFollette, an assistant director for the combat cast, plays a character helping defend Paris.The staged battles involve steel weapons dulled for safety, cast members explained.Beyond the battlefield, visitors can explore entertainment across