Spring has sprung and Summer is a-comin’ in! The lengthening days bring a song to our hearts and call us forth to MELEE MADNESS, June 2-3, at its Ancient and Honorable site at the Castle in back of the Utah State Hospital in Provo, Utah! Come roam the ramparts of the castle, storm the walls, defend the keep! Or just relax in the sun and visit with friends old and new!
It will be a day of martial joy as armored fighters, rapier warriors and combat archers battle their worthy adversaries in melee after melee! The Baronial Archery and Thrown Weapons championships will be held, so sharpen your knives and axes and wax your bowstrings! Opening announcements will be at 10:00 am on Saturday (or whenever TRMs, TEs of Loch Salann and the Activity Steward thinks enough people have shown up). The earlier the fighters arrive, the more fun (and cooler) the fighting will be.
On Sunday, weather permitting, House Catwing and Hold Tyte will hold their annual Pas d’Armes, open to all armored fighters; see the Activity Steward for details. Bring your nicest fighting clothes and banners, and display your skill at weapons and words.
There will be Bardic classes, as well as activities for our youth (including youth combat!). If you’ve ever wanted to sponsor/run an activity, contest or teach a class (fighting or non-fighting) this is the place to do it; just clear it with the Activity Steward.
Though this a 2-day activity, the populace is encouraged to come early on Saturday and bring picnic lunches and sunshades/tents, although there are many shade trees on site. This is a very dry site! Because this is a state facility, anyone bringing alcoholic beverages onsite or found to be in an inebriated condition will be politely required to leave immediately! Ground fires or open flames are not permitted, but off-ground fire pits, hibachis and gas grills are allowed. Pets are welcome if accompanied by responsible owners. After unloading, please park your vehicle in either the parking lot at the bottom of the hill or up the hill near the stone privies.
Site:
Utah State Hospital, 1300 E. Center St., Provo, UT. While the site will officially OPEN at 8:00am on Saturday and CLOSE at 10:00 pm on Sunday, we will be allowed to set up tents Friday afternoon after 5:30 pm. Unless told otherwise, camping will only be allowed on the field in front of the castle. If you plan to camp overnight, please contact the Activity Steward beforehand.
Site fees:
Donations are very welcome, to help defray costs. Make checks payable to “SCA Inc., Barony of Loch Salann”
Directions:
Take I-15 to the Provo Center St. exit 267; drive east on Center St. (about 2 miles) and turn right into the hospital grounds. Continue east and turn left at the large planter in the road in front of the admin building; follow the road to the right up and around to the castle area (the “off limits” signs aren’t meant for us).
Activity Steward:
Sir Michael the Lucky (Michael Huston), 801-645-5651; [email protected]