Sun, Sand, and Swords –Tournament of Tournaments
Date: January 3, 2026 – Sun, Sand and Swords
Site Opens: 9 AM
Site closes: 4 PM
Location: Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex (PAAC)
1700 E 8th St, Yuma, AZ 85365
Our site is 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 are 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 3rd 2026 with a theme of Tournament of Tournaments.
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!
