[MR] Reminder: A Day at the Races

[Belphoebe]

A Day at the Races Event Flyer

A Day at the Races
Barony of Ponte Alto
November 13, 2004
Falls Church Presbyterian Church, Falls Church, VA


It is racing time in Siena! The 17 Contrade are
getting ready for their beloved palio races and the
Barony of Ponte Alto invites everyone to join in the
fun! Since the 11th Century, the city of Siena has
been holding a yearly horse race whose "official"
motivation has been to give thanks to the Madonna -
but any excuse is a good excuse to have a horse race!
The backbone of Il Palio are Siena's 17 Contrade,
which are the city wards designated to aid the many
military companies hired to defend Siena's
fiercely-earned independence from other nearby city
states. The horses tear around the Piazza del Campo at
breakneck speed, and they and their jockeys wear the
colors and designs of the Contrade: Tortoise, Wave,
She-Wolf, Goose, Shell, Porcupine, Dragon, Owl, Snail,
Panther, Eagle, Caterpillar, Unicorn, Ram, Giraffe,
Forest and Tower. So come join us and race a horse or
simply join a Contrade and cheer for your favorite
horseman! 

The Races: We could not hold a day at the races
without horses! Hobby horses that is! Bring your best
steed and try your luck. Get creative! There will be a
limited number of "rental" horses of various qualities
available to those folk who did not bring their own
mounts, courtesy of our local used horse dealer. There
will be two sets of races during the day - one
division for adults and one for youth - and there will
be a prize for each division. 

A&S Competitions: There will be a competition in
artifact A&S. For questions about the A&S competition,
please contact Maestra Giuliana Salviati (Jessica AT
summertreemosaics.com) and visit the A&S Information
page for details. The A&S competition theme is "The
Symbols of the Contrade" (as listed above). There will
also be a cooking competition with a theme of "Period
Italian Desserts", to be judged by Baron Marcellus and
Master Kevin of Thornbury. The third spot in the
judging of this competition will be raffled as a
fundraiser for the Barony. (Documentation is
required.) 

Lord Connor Sinclair and Lady Courtney de Houghton are
sponsoring a "Horse and Rider Heraldry Contest". The
rules are simple: 1. Best heraldry wins! (Extra points
to those who feature matching or complimentary horse
and rider heraldry!) 2. Neigh, documentation is not
necessary. 3. Heraldry does not need to feature an
animal of the contrade, it can be your own personal
heraldry. 

Bardic Competition: The bardic competition will also
have an Italian theme. Please contact Baron Corun
McAnndra (corun AT medievalist.org) and visit the
Bardic Information page for details. Competitors may
perform a 16th Century period Italian piece, or a
piece based upon period Italian construction. 

Chess Tournament: For those inclined to exercise their
minds, we will be holding a chess tournament during
the day. 

Feast: A sumptuous Italian feast shall be prepared by
Master Tirloch of Tallaght (tirloch AT
ravenstreet.org). Please contact Master Tirloch with
any dietary concerns. 

Site: The site will be the Falls Church Presbyterian
Church (http://www.fallschurchpresby.org), 225 East
Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046. This site is
DRY. 

Cost: NON-SCA MEMBERS: add $3 to all prices below. 

  Off Board On Board 
Adult $8.00 Add $7.00 
Child (5-17 yrs.) $6.00 Add $7.00 
Under 5 yrs. Free Free 

Reservations: Barbara Reed, 6036 Richmond Highway,
Apt. #613, Alexandria, VA 22303. Email: bereed26 AT
yahoo.com. The only good reservation is a paid
reservation. No phone reservations. Please make checks
payable to Barony of Ponte Alto, SCA Inc. 

Autocrats: Baron Marcellus Capoziello da Napoli
(Robert Capozello - afpopa AT cox.net) and Baronne
Belphoebe de Givet (Laura Martinez - belfebe AT
yahoo.com), 703-625-3883 (NLT 10PM). 

Directions: Take your best route to the Capitol
Beltway (I-495) in Northern Virginia. Exit onto Route
7 East towards Falls Church. Follow for 3.1 miles. The
church is on the left, just past the intersection with
Route 29, Lee Highway. 



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