Schedule

No merchants permitted by park regulation.

Site restrictions:

• No firearms
• No horses
• No archery
• Dogs on leash only
• No fires
• No tents with stakes - day shades with no stakes only
• No alcohol

Newcomers

The Society for Creative Anachronism is an educational nonprofit where we recreate activities from before the year 1600. People participate in martial arts like swordfighting and archery, crafting projects like baking and weaving, performances like singing and storytelling, and other medieval activities like heraldry and dancing. We invite people to recreate any culture from across the globe - you are not limited to medieval Europe. We welcome everyone regardless of gender, race, religion, age, sexuality, citizenship or disability and we hope you will feel included and loved in our Barony.

You don't have to do anything before you show up; you can choose to either pre-register or pay at the gate. We require everyone to wear “an attempt” at pre-1600s clothing (from any region or culture), but don't worry if you don't have any; let us know when you arrive and we will lend you something. You don't need to be a member, but if you want the $10 member discount, you can sign up here: https://www.sca.org/join-us/

After you've paid the gate fee ($20, or $10 with the member discount), everything at the event is free to participate in except the buffet ($12). There are no extra charges for classes, activities, or any non-buffet snacks or water.

If you have questions, you can contact the Event Steward at fabianjayscholl@gmail.com or check out our local Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/344174302157

Please let us know at the gate if you're a newcomer and you'd like someone to help show you around and explain the activities to you!

Registration

• Adult Member Registration: $10
• Adult Non-Member: $20
• Youth (6-17): $10
• Child (0-5): Free
• Feast: $12

Make Checks Payable To: SCA, Inc., Barony of Ponte Alto

Registration Notes: Please include your modern and SCA name, Membership Number if applicable and what is included in your payment.

Cancellation Policy: any cancellation/request for refund made prior to the event date will be honored. All Cancellations/Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing (email is acceptable). No refunds are issued until the event books have been closed and/or all checks have cleared.

Event Steward: Forannán Glórach
E-mail: fabianjayscholl@gmail.com

A Little History

In Florence in 1296, work began on a huge cathedral that nobody knew how to finish. The plans called for a dome larger than any which had ever been constructed before, but without any external buttresses to prevent it collapsing, and some said that such a thing was impossible. They began construction anyway, confident that the progress of science would make things possible for their descendents that had never been possible for their ancestors. They were right. In 1418, Filippo Brunelleschi built a wooden model showing his plans and, in a public competition, won the right to finish the grand building. The impossible building was finished in 1436, and to this day it remains the fifth-tallest dome in the world (larger than many modern sporting arenas).

The Italian Renaissance was an incredible period for art and for science, but it was also a time of bloody and brutal wars. After Lorenzo de' Medici's death broke apart the stability of the Italic League, Charles VIII of France invaded Naples, drawing Spain and the Holy Roman Empire into a battle for Italy. In 1495, the French - enraged by the murder of negotiators - stormed the castle of Monte San Giovanni and killed everyone inside. This was the first western fortification ever to be captured using portable field artillery bombardment, and it fell in just eight hours. In response, Venice, Florence, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and other allies formed the League of Venice to expel the French from Italy. The wars that followed ushered in a new military paradigm; widespread use of handguns (arquebus), pike and shot formations, new kinds of siege artillery, widespread literate commanders (thanks in part to the printing press) and history's first documented syphilis outbreak.

In the Barony of Ponte Alto in our Modern Middle Ages, we will not be recreating or re-enacting the use of field artillery nor any syphilis outbreaks, but we hope everyone who attends our birthday will come away having learned something about this fascinating and dramatic period of history.

Arts & Sciences

Pippo's Presentation: Our new mascot Pippo, inspired by the works of Filippo Brunelleschi and his fondness for gargoyles, demands tribute. He likes to eat pigeons and crunch on armour, but at this event he asks for everyone to bring their gargoyle-inspired or architecture-inspired creations and projects to display at our Arts & Sciences table. The best project will win a prize. The site will be closing at 6pm, so please pick up all projects by 4pm.

Gargoyle Games: To celebrate Brunelleschi's efforts in constructing the impossible, we will also be hosting an Iron Artisan competition. Those who wish to participate will have from 10am to 2pm to create an Arts & Sciences project incorporating materials donated by the populace. Members of the populace are encouraged to donate any materials they are finding impossible to use productively. Projects may be any art or science of the contestant's choice, so long as the project uses at least some of the donated materials. Judges may reward contestants who use donated materials most creatively!

We appreciate and welcome any and all donated materials.

Bards After Battle: Our bardic circle begins at 3pm and will last until court. Participants may bring any poem, story, song, comedy routine, musical performance or theatrical speech which they wish to show off and share (staying under 5 minutes please). Performances relating to the 1400s/1500s Italian theme are encouraged but not required. Bring singalongs to revive the spirits of our weary warriors!

Classes and activities: Ricardo Pesci will teach a class on the history of the Italian Wars. In honour of the incredible 15th-16th century lace artisans of Burano, Venice, Sir Odde ap Tam will teach a class on beginning bobbin lace making. Each class participant will receive a free lace kit with everything they need to get started.

Martial Combat

Authorizations begin at 10am.

From 11am we will have a Titan Challenge bear pit tournament! The Bloodbath Bear Pits will last until 2pm. The format will be the same for heavy rattan combat and for rapier. Participants may enter the pit as many times as they choose, and receive one point for each fight and one additional point for each win. The winner remains in the pit to face the next challenger. Dramatic acting is strongly encouraged. The hammiest death in each pit will receive a small ham-themed prize.

At 2pm there will be melee scenarios to conclude the day's fighting.

Heraldry

There will be a Heralds' Point available from 9am until lunchtime. Make sure to stop by if you're interested in registering a name, learning about heraldry, or designing your own heraldic device!

Food

A buffet lunch will be available. Please pre-register if you wish to eat at the buffet, since we only have 50 slots available. Hot food will be served around 12:30. For fighters who do not wish to eat until the bear pit concludes around 3pm, there will be another serving at 3:15. Please let us know which time slot you would prefer when you arrive at the gate.

Paniera cum carne bono e perfetto - good and perfect millet with meat
Pork and millet
Common allergens: dairy
Gluten free (not cooked in a gluten free kitchen)

Ceci rossi - brown chickpeas
Chickpeas with garlic and herbs Vegan
Gluten free (not cooked in a gluten free kitchen)

Shredded beef with various sauces
Ingredients and allergens for all sauces will be provided
Gluten free (not cooked in a gluten free kitchen)

Ove plene - stuffed eggs
Eggs stuffed with egg yolk, cheese, and herbs
Common allergens: egg, dairy Vegetarian
Gluten free (not cooked in a gluten free kitchen)

Insalata di sparagi - asparagus salad
Asparagus with olive oil, salt, and citrus juice
Vegetarian/vegan (shredded parm optional)
Gluten free (not cooked in a gluten free kitchen)

Ottima insalata - excellent salad
Mixed green salad with vinaigrette Vegan
Gluten free (not cooked in a gluten free kitchen)

Biscotti
Plain biscotti with fennel flavor
Common allergens: wheat, egg
Vegetarian

Fresh fruit

To drink, water with optional rose syrup