When the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire was canceled for 2026, it left performers, vendors and devoted fairgoers without one of Lake County’s most anticipated annual traditions.

Now, Natalie Cano, founder of Gathre Social Co., is working to give the local Renaissance community another place to gather.

Gathre Social Co. will host The Autumn Gathre, Lake County’s first indoor Renaissance fair Nov. 14–15 and Nov. 21–22 at Lake Square Mall in Leesburg. The free, air-conditioned event will feature performers, artisans, workshops, interactive experiences, a children’s area, costume contests and other themed activities.

“The event admission is free, the parking is free,” Natalie says. “There’s literally no reason not to come out and see what there is. It’s an opportunity to support local entertainers, make new friends, get out with your kids and have a free fun event.”

Natalie stresses that the grassroots effort is not intended to take over or recreate Lady of the Lakes, an outdoor fair that served as a major fundraiser for the Education Foundation of Lake County for 24 years.

The foundation announced in June that the fair would not return in 2026 after losing access to its longtime site near Lake Idamere in Tavares. Its board determined there was no viable alternative location and that moving forward under uncertain conditions could jeopardize funding for the foundation’s work supporting Lake County Schools.

Gathre Social Co.’s event is independent of the Education Foundation and is designed to provide an outlet for Renaissance enthusiasts while supporting performers, artisans, mall businesses and two local nonprofits: The Care Closet of Mount Dora and the Humane Society of Lake County.

The driving force goes along with the organization’s purpose in that Natalie founded Gathre Social Co. after moving to Lake County from out of state and finding it difficult for her and her husband to meet people while working from home. What began as a local chapter of Silent Book Club grew into an inclusive social group for adults interested in making friends, attending events and supporting area businesses.

The group organizes free activities, dinners, book club meetings and outings members can attend together throughout Mount Dora, Eustis, Tavares, Leesburg and surrounding North Lake County communities.

“We’re just community organizers who are passionate about building friendships and community,” Natalie says.

As for this Ren Fair, which fits into Gathre Social Co.’s purpose, admission and parking will be free, although attendees will have opportunities to donate directly to participating ren fair entertainers donating their time, The Care Closet and the Humane Society of Lake County. Proceeds from optional paid workshops will go to the people leading them.

Natalie says she will not receive any of the donations or profit from the event.

“I have no skin in the game. I’m doing this for the community,” Natalie says, explaining that she is looking forward to participating in the fun of it all.

Entertainment will take place on the mall’s main stage near Belk and is expected to include musicians, comedians, belly dancers and storytellers. A local Society for Creative Anachronism group will offer Renaissance reenactments and educational activities.

Other plans include a free scavenger hunt, prizes, raffle baskets benefiting the nonprofits and a costume contest at noon each day. Attendees may also participate in a one-for-one cosplay clothing swap or register for workshops that carry an additional fee that will go straight to the people holding them.

Additionally, Natalie is working with the mall’s restaurants to develop Renaissance-themed menu items so existing businesses benefit from the additional visitors.

One element Natalie is especially eager to preserve, if possible, is the participation of Lake County Schools culinary students, who traditionally prepared and sold food at Lady of the Lakes. Proceeds from those sales helped support the schools’ culinary programs.

Plans for student-prepared fair food have not been finalized because the necessary permit is still being pursued. Natalie is seeking business sponsors who could help provide equipment, including a refrigerated truck, if approval is secured.

“I would love for them to still be involved. Let’s see what we can do,” Natalie says.

The event’s indoor setting, budget and resources make it significantly different from Lady of the Lakes, which attracted tens of thousands of visitors to its expansive outdoor site. Natalie says the goal of The Autumn Gathre is simply to preserve an opportunity for people who look forward to dressing in costume, meeting fellow fans and supporting performers and vendors who rely on Renaissance events for income.

“We are not in competition with any other major Ren Fair or any other production like this,” she says.

While admission is free, attendees are strongly encouraged to reserve tickets in advance and select the day or days they plan to attend. The reservations will help organizers anticipate attendance and arrange appropriate staffing, security and crowd-control measures within the mall.

“We just need to know like how many people are coming on which days,” Natalie says.

Community support will also play a major role in bringing the event together. Organizers are seeking sponsors to provide a portable restroom for the parking lot, a refrigerated truck for the proposed culinary program, signage, decorations and items for nonprofit raffle baskets. Additional vendors and volunteers are also welcome.

“When it comes to this whole event, it’s free, but we’re really relying on the community to step up in whatever capacity they can,” Cano says.

People interested in volunteering, becoming a vendor, donating supplies or serving as a business sponsor may email gathresocialco@gmail.com. Event-related questions should be directed to Gathre Social Co., not Lake Square Mall.

Free tickets are available at gathresocialco.ticketspice.com/theautumngathre.

Photos provided by: Gathre Social Co., LLC