Ponte Alto Baronial Investiture
(2016-02-20 - Site opens at 10:00 AM & Closes at 4:00 PM)
Ponte Alto

Come help us reminisce about the 5- year reign and many good deeds of Baron Drogo and Baroness Adina, and watch Their Royal Majesties invest Lord Alric the Mad and Lady Cellach Mor as the new Baron and Baroness of Ponte Alto.  Even though Fat Tuesday will have been 11 days prior, we’ll celebrate our Italian heritage with the theme “Carnevale in an Italian Town Square”.  Italian garb is not required; Vikings, Celts, Mongols, Germans, etc. are welcome! In addition to the Investiture, the new Baron and Baroness will be selecting their Baronial A&S Champion and Baronial Bardic Champion. Details for the competitions can be found on the event website. Additionally, there will also be many opportunities for performances of song, poetry, storytelling, dance, and all of the Bardic arts. Any works can be performed, it does not have to be an original composition.

The Poeta Atlantiae, Katarzyna Witkowska, is sponsoring a medieval poetry competition.  The theme is to write a poem honoring your barony, or its people, or your present or past baronage.  If you are not from Ponte Alto, write about your own barony. There will be a youth and an adult competition.  Documentation is encouraged and earns extra points but is not required.

Baroness Emma West will be holding a Northern Regional Chatelain\'s meeting in the afternoon and Master Dante di Pietro will be teaching a Historical Martial Art A&S Class as well. In keeping with the theme, attendees will have a chance to make a mask to wear at their pleasure. Children will be included in the day’s festivities. In lieu of martial activities, there will be a Marshmallow Battle (a.k.a. a game of “Pelt the Event Steward”) will take place if the schedule permits. Materials to make handheld catapults and marshmallows will be provided.

Website:  http://pontealto.atlantia.sca.org/events/Investiture2016.php

Arts & Sciences Activities:  The Poeta Atlantiae, Katarzyna Witkowska, is sponsoring a medieval poetry competition. The theme is to write a poem honoring your barony, or its people, or your present or past baronage. If you are not from Ponte Alto, write about your own barony. There will be a youth and an adult competition. Documentation is encouraged and earns extra points but is not required.

From Master Marcellus, Baronial Minister of Arts & Sciences: Baronial Birthday and Investiture is the time for Alric and Kel, our next Baron and Baroness, to select their A&S and Performing Arts champions! There will be space available for an open A&S display area for both completed projects and works-in-progress. All are encouraged to bring out their latest and greatest A&S projects and compete for the title of Baronial A&S Champion. Documentation is encouraged but not required. Please register with me at the A&S display area if you wish to be considered for Champion. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at moas[AT]pontealto.atlantia.sca.org

There will also be an open bardic competition for Baronial Bardic Champion. The competition will be two rounds. Bring your best! There will be extra points for pieces that are either period (documentation not required) or fit the theme of the event. Questions regarding the competition may be directed to Lord Hákon, Ponte Alto\'s Bardic Champion (mka Milton Nye Weatherhead) at milton.weatherhead[AT]yahoo.com.

Cost:   
        Adult, Member:         $12.00 Day-Trip $8.00 Feast     $0.00 Camping
        Adult, Non-Member: $17.00 Day-Trip $8.00 Feast     $0.00 Camping
        Youth (5-17):             $8.00 Day-Trip  $8.00 Feast     $0.00 Camping
        Child (0-4):                $0.00 Day-Trip  $0.00 Feast     $0.00 Camping

Make Checks Payable To:  SCA, Inc., Barony of Ponte Alto

Site:  St. Luke\'s Episcopal Church, 8009 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, VA 22308.  Site opens at 10:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m.

Site Restrictions:  The site is dry. No open flames. ADA accessible; please contact the Event Steward if you have a service animal.

Feast Information:  A lunchtime feast, costing $8.00, will be prepared by Lady Tirzah.  The menu can be found on the Barony\'s website; up to 100 people will be served.

Merchanting Information:  None due to space limitations.

Other Information:  If you would like to perform, but not be considered for Baronial Bardic Champion, there will be many opportunities before Morning and Afternoon Court as well as during the lunchtime feast for performances!!

Baroness Emma West will be collecting items for the Gulf Wars Gift Basket (the Crown of Ansteorra will be the recipient).

Event Steward\'s Information:  Theresa O Cahir (Theresa Crean), 7654 Tiverton Drive, Springfield, VA 22152,  Phone: (703) 644-2930, E-mail:  ladycahir96[AT]yahoo.com

Reservations:  Lady Vadoma (Marlene Martineau), 631 Oak Street, Herndon, VA 20170,  Phone: (435) 232-1387, E-mail:  marlene.martineau[AT]gmail.com

Directions: 

From Baltimore and eastern Maryland: Take your best route to the Washington Beltway (I-495).  Take Exit 177C toward Mt. Vernon.  Merge onto Church Street. Turn RIGHT onto S. Washington St./VA-400.  Drive about 4 miles. Turn RIGHT onto Wellington Rd. Turn RIGHT onto Ft. Hunt Road; the church is on the right.

From western Maryland (Rockville): Take your best route to the Washington Beltway (I-495).  Take exit 177A toward Ft. Belvoir.  Turn LEFT onto Huntington Ave. Take first RIGHT onto Ft. Hunt Rd.  Drive about 3.5 miles, St. Luke’s is on the LEFT.

From points South: Take I-95 North.  Take Exit 161 toward US-1N/Richmond Hwy toward Ft. Belvoir/Mt. Vernon.  Drive 10.3 miles. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto Sherwood Hall Lane. After .51 miles, turn RIGHT onto Parkers Lane. Parkers Ln becomes Collingwood Rd. After 1 mile, turn LEFT onto Ft. Hunt Rd. After .9 miles, St. Luke’s will be on the right.