Extreme Sport Lures Top Knights from around the world to compete
for glory, prestige and tile of International Champion

Mother Lode Fairgrounds Hosts Third Annual International Jousting Championships; bringins together International Knights, the excitement of Renaissance Faire and Amazing Music Favorites for an Adventure packed weekend

Sonora, CA August XX, 2005 - The ancient art of jousting is revived once again more than five centuries after its heyday, as knights from around the world brave a 70lb armor, 12ft lance and feisty steed and their opponent clad alike, and ready to do battle at the third annual International Jousting Championships held in Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora, CA, September 24th and 25th, 2005.

There have been two serious attempts to revive the famous medieval spectacle of jousting. One was back in the Victorian age when an aristocrat called Lord Archibald Eglinton blew his family fortune staging an "authentic" tournament. Since then, there have been many "re-enactments" of the ancient art, but none has gone as far as the real thing. Now after a 530-year hiatus, jousting is again being revived properly and it's every bit as violent as it was in the Middle Ages.

Best armored warriors will battle it out in front of throngs of visitors from Saturday afternoon to Sunday evening, and with three tones of props and equipment, including flags, royal boxes and medieval tents, a colorful jousting tournament spectacle is promised. Each knight, who with horse and armor together weigh half a ton, strike against each other at speeds of 50 to 70mph. They hit their rivals hard enough to explode their shield or splinter their own lance into a thousand pieces, and sometimes even dismount their competitor.

"We're the only West Coast festival of this kind where patrons can watch a real jousting tournament,” said Prtrick Karnahan, event producer. “Jousting is the first extreme sport. People do get knocked off their horses. It's one of best parts of the faire. If you like football or hockey, you'll like it. It's an adrenaline rush.”

The grounds open from 10:00am both days. On Saturday jousting will begin take place at 12noon and 3pm. Competition will continue on Sunday when best of the knights of the first day will compete for the prize and title.

Sonora will combine the skills of historic jousting with the energy and excitement of a re-enactment show. Tournament organizers and over 600 costumed actors will recreate the ambiance of a medieval pageant as one seen over 480 years ago when in 1520 King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France met near Calais for a grand show of rivalry. As each king tried to outshine the other with their great wealth, the event came to be known as The Field of the Cloth of Gold. Sonora as we relive this event with a weekend of jousting, music, magicians and jesters.

"There's no other fair like this, where you can see a REAL Jousting Championships, and interact with costumed actors all the time, where you go back to the time of knights, wizards and dragons and actually live in that time," Patrick continued. "We try to be as authentic as we can. We'll have about a 600 actors roaming the faire in period costumes. There are minstrels and jugglers and musicians, archery contests, fencing competition and other games, in addition to jousting.

And should you need a break from the medieval acts, Sonora International Jousting Championships also cater to lovers of music by bringing together some of the most exciting and sought after groups on stage. The outdoor stage with lawn and bleacher seating hosts daytime music including 2005 headliner Young Dubliners and perennial favorite Tempest. The new pub stage will host musical acts including the Black Irish Band and Crazy Ivan, plus comedy shows and other stage acts. Its a great air conditioned place to hang out during the day, then hang around Saturday evening for drinks, music and dancing. Past headliners include Wolfstone, Dervish, Teada and Wicked Tinkers.

The Faire will be open from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. – 6:00 pm on Sunaday, September 24th and 25th. Pre-sale tickets are available now at http://www.JoustingChampionships.com/. For more information, visit the website or call (408) 506-6499.