Sun, Sand & Swords (SBS)
Sun, Sand, and Swords –Tournament of Tournaments & Southern War Practice
Dates: January 3, 2026 – Sun, Sand and Swords
January 4, 2026 – Southern War Practice
Site Opens: 9 AM
Site closes: 4 PM
Location: Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex (PAAC)
1700 E 8th St, Yuma, AZ 85365
Our site in in the far, northwest corner of the complex next to the archery range.
Directions: While heading Westbound on I-8, take Exit 1 for Giss Pkwy, then turn right at
the roundabout to head Southeast on 8th St. Continue on 8th St. past the next
roundabout now facing Eastbound, and you will find the PAAC gates on the left. Upon
entering the gates, veer left and through both roundabouts into the large parking lot.
The event will be located in the large grassy area to the right of the memorial monument
and bathrooms, in the northwest corner of the complex.
Site Fee is CASH ONLY: $10 per adult member, $20 for non-members, children 17
years of age or younger get in free!
Notices: Site is DRY. NO STAKING, so modern popups will be optimal. Restrooms and
water fountains onsite. No pets are allowed except for service animals. The site is
wheelchair accessible!
Autocrat: Lady Aeschine MacDougall, seneschal@burningsands.atenveldt.org
Co-Autocrat: Mihil von Brandenburg, moas@burningsands.atenveldt.org
Greetings from The Shire of Burning Sands!
Start out your new year experiencing the dream with Atenveldt One! We will be holding
our annual Sun, Sand and Swords Event on January 3 rd 2026 with a theme of
Tournament of Tournaments. The following day will be Southern War Practice on the 4 th
of January 2025
Saturday is “Game Day”. Join us in tournaments, on and off the field. This event will be
a place to have fun and relax.
There will be a heavy fighters bear pit into a double elimination tournament. Rapier will
be tic/attack/toe tournament. Tic/Attack/Toe is a “live” tick/tack/toe however you will
have to fight to keep your spot. If there are not enough fighters there will be a bear pit
into a double elimination tournament. Archery is BACK with another tournament at the
archery range on site. The archery tournament is still being planned; the format will be
announced later.
Sharpen those quills! "The fastest calligrapher in the west" tournament will be held for
those that believe the quill is mightier than the sword or bow. You will be given a short
phrase to complete in a set amount of time. Points will be added or subtracted based on
neatness, readability and completing the task on time.
There will be scroll making supplies available for those that would like to practice
calligraphy or try their hand at making scrolls. No skills required.
The Shire of Burning Sands’ bread tournament is back!. Loaves must be fully baked;
there will not be on-site baking! Feel free to bring toppings or dips for your bread, but
note that the vote will be based on the bread alone. The winner will be determined by
populace vote. Remember, your loaf can only be voted on if there is enough to be
sampled, so plan accordingly. Please include an index card with the ingredients used in
your entry(s).
You can support the Shire of Burning Sands by participating in our silent auction. Bid on
as many goods as you desire! Just know that all proceed go toward helping refill the
shire coffers. Have you been purging your closets this New Years? If you have items
needing a new home, please consider donating to our auction.
When you’re here, you are family, and the Shire provides for family. At no additional
cost beyond site fee, a lunch of soup and sandwiches with water, lemonade, and tea will
be available to all attendees!
Finally, for those seeking to stay the night prior or after, the site is centrally located
between several different hotels so you will have no shortage of options for a place to
rest your weary head and be fresh for war practice the next day. Yuma Palms Mall is
nearby offering many options for eating out.
We look forward to seeing you all there!