Almost Canada Day Bash opens HEMA tournament to ages 8 to adult

Alexandria is set to become a grassroots HEMA hub when Glengarry Broadsword Academy stages the Almost Canada Day Bash on June 13-14, a two-day tournament that opens competition to fighters from age 8 through adult. The annual Smallsword, Singlestick, and Broadsword event is notable for putting youth and adult competition on the same weekend, a format that gives newer fencers, families, and local clubs a practical doorway into the Ontario circuit.

That structure is unusually broad. The listing includes divisions for U10, U12, U14, U18, Under Represented Genders, Adult Open in two divisions, and Veterans Open, which means the card is built to serve first-timers and experienced competitors without forcing everyone into the same bracket. For Canadian historical fencing, that matters: a single venue can now introduce children to tournament strips, keep teenagers moving up through age classes, and still offer a serious field for adults and veterans.

The weekend is also arranged with a clear competitive flow. Saturday is reserved for the smallsword card, while Sunday is set aside for singlestick and broadsword. That split should help organizers manage pacing and gives competitors a straightforward plan for entering the event, especially for clubs that may be bringing more than one age group or weapon set to Alexandria.

Practical access is part of the story as well. Loaner equipment will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, easing the burden on newcomers who are testing the tournament waters for the first time. The gear checklist is detailed for both the smallsword and singlestick-broadsword divisions, with requirements that include fencing masks, gloves, chest protection, groin protection, and other safety items. That kind of clarity reduces uncertainty for new entrants while signaling that the organizers are serious about safety and equipment standards.

The location itself adds to the weekend’s reach. The listing includes train-travel suggestions for Ottawa and Montreal, a reminder that Alexandria is being positioned as more than a local stop. It is a regional draw, and in a season when HEMA clubs are always looking for entry-level events that can grow into stable community fixtures, the Almost Canada Day Bash gives Ontario something valuable: a tournament where a child, a beginner, and a veteran can all step onto the same schedule and find a place to fence.