community
Storming the Castle
hand combat to ensure everyone’s safety.
Right, safety.
I bet you have been wonder-
ing about the weapons and armor these
folks use when hitting, jabbing, stabbing
and swinging at each other during full
contact combat. Weapons for armored
combat, or “heavy” combat, are made
from rattan- which is similar to bam-
boo, and wrapped in duct tape for added
safety, rather than using steel weapons.
All major vital points of the body must
be covered by armor, including the head,
kidneys and joints. The fighting is a
full-speed, full-force competition be-
tween two or more combatants, and it is
designed to resemble medieval combat
dueling or melee.
What else do you need to know?
How about some history of how all this
started?
The SCA traces its roots to a
backyard graduation party at UC Berke-
ley in 1966 that included a “Grand Tour-
nament” in which the participants wore
motorcycle helmets, fencing masks,
and some semblance of a costume, and
whacked away at each other with weap-
ons including plywood swords, padded
maces, and even a fencing foil. It was
styled as a “protest against the 20th cen-
june28
2011
19
continued from page 11
tury”. The name “Society for Creative
Anachronism” was coined by science
fiction author Marion Zimmer Bradley,
an early participant, when the original
group needed an official name in order
to reserve a park for a tournament.
In 1968, Bradley moved to Stat-
en Island, New York and founded the
Kingdom of the East, In October 1968,
the SCA was incorporated as a 501(c)(3)
non-profit corporation in California. By
the end of 1969, the SCA’s three original
kingdoms had been established: West,
East, and Middle. All SCA kingdoms
trace their roots to these original three.
Is your curiosity getting the bet-
ter of you yet? Interested in attending
the event on Von Schaumburg’s estate
this July?
If you attend you have to “pay
to play.” It is a private event, but, “we
invite anyone to come and play,” says
Morello. As stated earlier, all partici-
pants are just that, participants--there
are no spectators. It will cost $15 for
the whole weekend, including camping,
plus a $5 fee if you are not a member of
SCA. One day entrance is $10, plus the
non-member fee.
Don’t own any chain mail, a suit
of armor or other medieval garb? Mo-
Columbia County
Fair & Rodeo
July 13-17, 2011
Wednesday & Thursday
10am - 10pm
Friday & Saturday
10am - 12midnight
Sunday 10am - 5pm
rello says first timers are given a little
slack--an attempt to dress somewhat
medieval is acceptable—maybe a tunic
over a pair of pants. Remember that ten-
foot rule, if it looks like you made an at-
tempt you won’t be sent to the dungeon.
Don’t worry; they also have some loaner
wear you can borrow so you don’t spoil
the authentic look and feel of the event
for everyone else.
ia
n
o
n
r
e
V
Contra
Dance
***
t
July 1s
Event Schedule
8:00 —10:00 Dance
~Location~
Vernonia Grange
397 North Street
Vernonia OR 97064
Caller: Stephanie No
ll
Admission:
$5 per person or $15 per Family
The Grange is a Tobacco and Alcohol Free Facility Promoting a
Family Friendly Environment.
All ages and all levels of experience welcome!
Sponsored by:
Contact Heather Lewis
For More Information
503 429-4677
Vernonia
Prevention
Coalition
Dancin’ in the Dirt
with Backstage Pass
Friday Night
after the Rodeo
Hit Machine
On the Main Stage
Saturday Night
after the Rodeo
July 1!
Pig Races
Kid’s Peddle Tractor Pulls
Every Day
Teddy Bear Picnic
Thursday @ 12noon
Jr. Rodeo
Thursday @ 6pm
Tickets on sale now
at the following locations:
Wauna FCU - all in county locations
St. Helens FCU - all locations
All About Mail - Scappoose
Event Complex (Fairgrounds) - St. Helens
Skinny’s Texaco - St. Helens
Chubbs Shell—St. Helens
Rainier Hardware - Rainier
Hump’s Restaurant - Clatskanie
w w w. c o lu m b ia c o u n t y f a i r a n d ro d e o . c o m
Celtic Music by Alexander Adams!
Boy Scouts Flag Retirement !
A Patriotic Rendition!
Local Arts & Crafts!
Win Super-Cool Stuff!
Kids Activities! Snacks!
