Davis Fencing Academy run Zombie Swords & Lasers at Community Park, and have for five years. Real fencing kit, laser targets, and coaches who will put a blade in your hand whether or not you have ever held one. It is one of the stations people queue for.
New this year: they are also running the Monster Run, early in the morning before the festival begins. Running plus laser marksmanship, timed, free, all ages. Details and how to enter. Do the run first, then come back to the park for the swords.
Simon Pitfield
Davis Fencing Academy is led by Simon Pitfield, who is more or less the engine behind fencing in this part of California. He started fencing at UC Davis in 1995, co-founded the City of Davis fencing program in 1998, opened the Academy in 1999, and in 2000 earned his Maître d'Armes, the Fencing Master degree, from the French Academy of Arms in Paris.
His work goes well beyond fencing. He is a National Team Coach for USA Pentathlon Multisport and was instrumental in founding the Davis Pentathlon, one of the largest pentathlon events in the country. Under his leadership the Berry Athletic Foundation was created to expand fencing and pentathlon across Northern California, along with a regional pentathlon circuit, and the Academy is developing the Davis Pentathlon Center: fencing halls, a pool and a running track.
What they do for this festival
Simon and his volunteers have put dozens of hours into this event over the years. They arrive early and stay late, they help with set-up and tear-down and everything in between, they turn up for the zombie photoshoots that become some of our best pictures, and Simon has been on GoodDay Sacramento with the zombie crew.
He is not just a partner, he is part of the festival family. Thank you, from all of us.
