Trending

Advertisement

Knights set to face off in Tournament of the Phoenix in Poway

Share

Ready to relive history? The Tournament of the Phoenix returns to Poway for the ninth year next weekend, Friday, Oct. 16 - Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Poway Rodeo Grounds, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road, Poway.

Five knights, Bertus Brokamp from the Netherlands; Sean George from England; Steve Mallett from England; Ivar Mauritz-Hansen from Norway; and Jeffrey Hedgecock from the United States will battle it out to receive the Phoenix Prize.

Hedgecock, who lives in Ramona, is also the founder of the tournament along with wife Gwen Norwick.

The duo founded the tournament in 2007. Originally known as the WorldJoust Tournaments, the first was held in October of 2007, right after the Witch Creek fires that devastated Southern California. “‘We thought the fires would defeat us, but instead we have risen, Phoenix like, from the flames,” said English competitor Dominic Sewell according to the tournament’s website, and the tournament was renamed.

An equestrian triathlon, the tournament will test the combatants’ prowess and stamina as they pit themselves against each other in seven events over the three-day competition. Events include foot combat with axes, mounted melee, and five sessions of jousting. This is a competitive sporting event, not a reenactment or theatrical joust.

The tournament also includes the Festival of History, where attendees can do everything from watch ancient Roman gladiators spar to watch re-enactors spin thread and create illuminated manuscripts.

Falcon’s Court will be bringing their expanded Birds of Prey show to the event, which will be performed daily.

Friday is Preview Day and is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

On Friday, you can enjoy the welcome ceremony at 11:30 a.m., and the first skill-at-arms competition will be at 12:30 p.m. in arena 2. A bird-of-prey show will be held at 1:15 p.m., and there will be a jousting competition in the main arena at 2 p.m.

The competition continues Saturday, with jousting sessions being held at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m., skill-at-arms at 11 a.m. and foot combat champ clos at 2:15 p.m. There will also be a welcome ceremony at 10:30 a.m., and a bird-of-prey show at 3:45 p.m.

The competition will conclude on Sunday with jousting at 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. and the club tourney at 2:15 p.m. Awards and the closing ceremony will be at 5 p.m.

Before and between shows, knights will be available for photos at the knight’s camp, and horses will be available for 20 minutes after equestrian activities.

There will be several food and drink vendors at the tournament this year, including The Phoenix Inn, selling beer from Ramona’s ChuckAlek Brewery; Hunter Steakhouse; Nana’s Heavenly Hot Dogs; Niederfrank’s Ice Cream; Oscar’s Meat Pie Shack; Cafe Mermaid and many more.

There will also be many crafts, gifts and merchandise for sale at the event, ranging from historical reproductions, clothing and armor to organic skin care items, handmade jewelry, instruments and more. Attendees can also enjoy massages, hair braiding, a bounce house, a petting zoo, pony rides and face painting.

Tickets for Friday’s preview are $12 each. Saturday and Sunday are $22 adults, $19 seniors, children 5 though 12, active military with ID and students. A one-day family four-pack of tickets for Saturday or Sunday are $75. Preview admission is included with any weekend ticket purchase.

For tickets and more information, visit www.tournamentofthephoenix.com.

Advertisement