Zombie Swords & Lasers

🎯 Community Spotlight: Davis Fencing Academy & Simon Pitfield! For the past five years, Davis Fencing Academy has brought the 🔥 Zombie Swords & Lasers 🔥 experience to our festival — and they’ve become one of our most dedicated, long-time partners! Led by the amazing Simon Pitfield, this team always brings heart, professionalism, and excitement to every event. 💚⚔️✨

Simon is truly the engine behind all things fencing locally. 🏅 He started fencing in 1995 at UC Davis, co-founded the City of Davis fencing program in 1998, and opened DFA in 1999. In 2000, he earned his Maître d’Armes (Fencing Master) degree from the French Academy of Arms in Paris — a true master of the art! 🇫🇷⚡

But his influence goes far beyond fencing alone. Simon is also a National Team Coach for USA Pentathlon Multisport. 🇺🇸🤺🏊‍♂️🏃‍♂️🐎 He 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 programs across Northern California, and a regional pentathlon circuit was launched. 🏆🔥 

Davis Fencing Academy is even developing the Davis Pentathlon Center — a dream facility featuring fencing halls, a pool, running track, and more to support community fitness and athletic excellence. 💥💪

Over the years, Simon and his volunteer team have poured dozens of hours into helping our festival flourish:

💀 They show up early, stay late, and help with set-up, tear-down, and everything in between.

📸 They participate in our zombie-themed photoshoots that become some of our favorite marketing moments.

🎥 Simon himself has even appeared on GoodDay Sacramento with our zombie crew, spreading our spooky spirit far and wide!

He’s not just a partner — he’s part of our festival family. 🧡 His commitment, energy, and creativity raise the bar every single year.

So here’s to Simon Pitfield, Davis Fencing Academy, and their entire team: Thank you for being all in, every time. We’re proud to have you stand beside us — swords and lasers blazing — as we build something magical together for our community. 💀⚔️🎉