Tournament of the Phoenix Jousting Competition Offers Activities for All

Despite being well into what is technically the fall season, the next couple of weeks are expected to be just as warm as ever.

Luckily, the participants in the upcoming sixth-annual Tournament of the Phoenix jousting competition aren’t afraid of a little heat—something that was proven at the event’s inception.

According to event officials, the first tournament was scheduled to take place at the same time the 2007 Witch Creek fires ravaged San Diego County. Instead of cancelling the event, they decided the show must go on―and hundreds of residents attended in support.

It was English competitor Dominic Sewell who inspired the official name of the Tournament when he said: “We thought the fires would defeat us, but instead we have risen, Phoenix like, from the flames.”

Since then, the event has only grown. The main tournament will showcase six knights from the U.S., England, Canada and France who will take part in an equestrian triathlon as well as foot combat with axes, mounted melee and a series of jousting.

There also will be a Skill at Arms competition featuring a variety of weaponry, Roman Gladiators, glasswork demonstrations, local vendors and a petting zoo, among other activities.

The two-day event runs Saturday, Oct. 27, and Sunday, Oct. 28, with a preview on Friday. Ticket costs vary. For more information, visit tournamentofthephoenix.com.