This is just for those of you who see this immediately after I post it and are free between now — I mean RIGHT NOW — and about 2:30 p.m.
And only those among you who have an interest in swords, swordfighting, history, and the blacksmithing trade.
It’s called SwordFest, and it’s the biggest event at the Relic Room each year. And it’s free, including admission to the museum. There will be tours concentrating on the varied kinds of real, historical blades on display, all the way back to the oldest artifact in the museum — a 400-year-old katana taken from the body of a Japanese officer on Iwo Jima in 1945.
And I highly recommend checking out the newest part of the museum, the Vietnam War exhibit, focusing on the experiences of South Carolinians who served in Southeast Asia.
But there will be plenty of activity that is only happening today, including modern sport fencing, and various live enthusiasts portraying soldiers, knights, pirates and more — and giving demonstrations. Plus interesting vendors and displays.
And be sure to check out the blacksmith, working at his glowing forge to fashion a sword in the 18th-century style, as you watch.
Here’s a release about the event. And here’s a story aired by WACH last night.
And here’s a schedule:
10:00: Introduction to Events
10:15: McAuley Broadsword: Demonstration Class
10:30: Carolina Historical Fencing Association
11:15 Dan Bernando: Iaido (bamboo cutting demo)
and Well-Within Martial Arts Italian Stick Fighting
12:00 Columbia Fencing Club (sport fencing)
12:45 Swordmasters Group Picture (Demonstrators and Living Historians)
1:00 Neill Rose: 19 th Century Mounted Saber
1:30 Pirates! : Theatrical style duel
2:00 Palmetto Knights Steel Combat Team
Note that you’ve already missed a little bit of it, sitting there wasting time looking at a blog! But seriously, I had planned to be there myself this morning. When my plans shifted to later, I decided to take a few moments to post this, just in case it benefits someone who’s interested….
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