October Surprise (a.k.a The Monster Mask)

An unusual tournament for an unusual year. Location: East Middlebury rec park outdoor tennis courts. Located behind the Sarah Partridge Library, near the corner of School House Hill Rd and E. Main St (Route 125). I can not find a Google Maps address for the park (ignore where AskFRED marks the location - it is actually directly behind the library). Parking in the rec park is limited. If there is no room there, park in front of the library (there is a footpath to the tennis courts from there), or on School House Hill, past the park (not in front of the neighbor's house). Date: Target date is October 11, weather permitting. If weather is bad on Oct 10 (causing the VFA Saturday classes to move to Sunday) or Oct 11, we will postpone to Oct 18 or 25. We will just need to be flexible and deal with Mother Nature. Who is this tournament for? All members of the Green Mt Division! As it is an unsanctioned event (no ratings can be earned), a noncompetitive US Fencing membership is sufficient. This is meant to be a fun event for all ages and skill levels, so come give it a try. Age groups: Based on anticipated interest, we are breaking in to age groups. Fencing age groups are based on your birth year, not your age the day of the tournament. There will be 2 age groups for foil: Youth (essentially 14-), birth year 2006 or later Teen/adult (essentially 15+), birth year 2005 or before There will be 3 age groups for epee Youth (essentially 14-), birth year 2006 or later Teen/young adult (essentially 15-39), birth year 1982-2005 Veteran (essentially 40+), birth year 1981 or before Please make sure to sign up for the right event, according to your birth year. Entry fee: Instead of entry fees, the VFA will be holding our annual raffle (was supposed to be part of the Middlebury Open in March, but that was cancelled). Please buy a generous number of raffle tickets ($1 each or 6 for $5). The drawing will take place in the middle of the day (after epee fencers have signed in but before they start fencing). Winners need not be present. Lots of great prizes! All fencing will be electric. VFA members who do not own their own electric equipment should arrange with Viveka in advance to borrow what you need. Equipment will be "yours" for the day, no sharing. Since we can not share masks, the mask bib is optional for novice foil fencers (experienced foilists are expected to bring and use their regulation electric foil masks). There is a single portalet in the E. Middlebury park, as well as a water fountain (for covid safety, do not drink directly from it, use only to refill water bottles). There is nowhere to change clothes, so come dressed in a way that does not require privacy to get ready to fence. Covid Safety All fencers must wear a covering over mouth and nose during all bouts and any time that physical distance of 6+ feet can not be maintained. You might want to bring more than one, in case yours gets sweaty. Bring your own hand sanitizer, and use it after handling equipment others have touched (i.e. reels and machines). Bring your own water bottles and snacks, do not share with others. Wear your face mask when refereeing, as well as when fencing. Do not attend this tournament if you feel sick with any possible covid-19 symptoms, you suspect you may have been exposed to someone with covid-19, or you or any member of your household has traveled out of state (except to approved quarantine-free counties) within 14 days of the event. There is no penalty for withdrawing from the tournament.