The Barony of Stonemarche invites you to the Market Day at Birka.  It will be held this year on Feb.  1, 2003.  Due to the success of the event in recent years, we have decided to move the event to a new, and we hope better, site.  The event will be held at the Center of New Hampshire in Manchester, NH.  The new site will provide us more room for fighting, fencing, youth activities, and of course the biggest shopping event in the East Kingdom.

While there will be no outdoor activities, we have space for both indoor fighting and fencing.  The fighting will be in the usual bear-pit style with prizes awarded to the top scoring gentles in both belted and unbelted categories.  In addition, youth fighting will be held in an area adjacent to the heavy list – bring your own equipment.

Merchants are – as always - highly desired.  If you have merchanted at a Birka in the past three years, and have not moved, you'll be getting a mailing with details.  Otherwise, please send a SASE for information to Mistress A'isha bint Jamil (Kathryn Smith), 456 Reservoir Ave., Manchester, NH 03104 or you may email her at aishabintjamil@yahoo.com.  All merchant reservation requests must be postmarked no later than January 15, 2003 and should be sent directly to Mistress A'isha.  Information is also available at our web site http://www.birka.org .

Other activities will include a Medieval Fashion show.  Wear your spiffiest garb.  Documentation is not required, but be prepared to write a brief paragraph regarding the date and country of your ensemble when you register for the fashion show at troll.  All garb will be judged from a distance of ten feet.  Prizes will be awarded for the most stunning outfits.  Contact Lady Jocelyn at rich.hicks@verizon.net for additional information.

There will also be organized children's activities (contact Lady Temair at Janderson@ddbean.com), and an A&S display (contact Lady Sine at pict@heart.mv.com)

As there is no feast, the evening will be dedicated to dancing.  This year, we will be graced with the music of Sir Robin's Minstrels at an informal ball to be held in the evening.  The musicians will be playing from 8 PM.  to 10 PM.  Wandering players are welcome to join – musicians interested in playing should contact Lady Jocelyn at rich.hicks@verizon.net for additional information.  In addition to live musicians (the other kinds are really too messy) we're offering a free desert board prepared by Lady Cathy Peacock to sustain the dancers.

Moving the event to a larger, more publicly accessible site has required us to establish a more formal policy regarding minors.  No one under the age of 18 will be allowed on site unless accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.  No one under 10 may be unsupervised at any time during the event.  Please refer to the event web site for additional information or contact the autocrat with any questions.

The site does not permit any kind of food sales other than through their approved vendor; however, the site will have fast food concessions open throughout the day and there are a number of restaurants both at the site and within walking distance.  Adjacent to the food concessions we will have a Bardic Coffee shop.

Attention Bards!  Your audience is waiting in the food court at Birka.  Bring your instruments, puppets, stories, voice, a hat for the floor (and of course your talent) to Birka's first annual Bardic Coffee Shop located in the food Court.  Timeslots will be allotted between 11:00am - 2:00pm and pre-registration is strongly suggested.  For questions or to pre-register, contact Rosaline at RosalineWright@Hotmail.Com.

The site is offering a reduced room rate for event attendees.  Reduced rates start at $89 and reservations must be made with the hotel prior to 1/11/03.  Contact the Holiday Inn Directly at 603-625-1000 and mention the Society for Creative Anachronism to receive the reduced rate.

An event of this size requires a great deal of work, so any gentles interested in helping are encouraged to contact the autocrat in advance or refer to the event web site for additional information.  We're in special need of volunteers to work troll and security.  Thanks in advance for any offers for help.

Directions:

Those interested in using public transportation will be pleased to learn that the site is less than one block North of the Manchester Transportation Center, 119 Canal Street, Manchester, NH, (800) 343-9999.

For those driving:  Find your way to Route 293 in Manchester NH.  Heading North take Exit 5 and turn right onto Granite Street.  Go through two lights and the hotel garage will be on the left.  Heading South, take exit 6.  The exit will circle around and over the Amoskeag Bridge.  Stay right, take first exit (Canal Street).  Follow Canal Street for about 1 mile (8 lights) to Granite Street (Bus Terminal is on your left).  Turn left onto Granite Street, Hotel Garage is on the left.

Event Website: www.birka.org

At-a-Glance Event Information

Site:
Center of New Hampshire
700 Elm Street
Manchester, NH  03101
Show me a map!

Site Opens: 10:00 AM
Site Closes: 12:00 AM

Event Fees:

Site : Site fees are as follows:  Adults:  preregistered (received by January 31, 2003):  $8, at the door $9.  In addition, as an incentive to pre-register, all adult pre-registrations will include a cast pewter medallion created by Mistress Brianna Yseulte Wynman.  Non-member adults will be assessed a $3 fee in accordance with the new society rules.
Children (either preregistered or at the door) 13-17:  $4, children under 13 free.
Also note that the site does provide garage parking for a $1 fee payable at the site.

Send Reservations to:
Event:  Rich Hicks, 7 Lynde Street, Nashua, NH 03064

Merchants:  Kathy Smith, 456 Reservoir Ave., Manchester, NH 03104

Autocrat:
Nyven Fiach, MKA Rich Hicks
7 Lynde Street
Nashua, NH 03064
603-882-8918 Before 9 PM
rich.hicks@verizon.net

Other Contact Information:
Merchants may contact:
Mistress A'isha bint Jamil, MKA Kathryn Smith
456 Reservoir Ave.
Manchester, NH 03104
aishabintjamil@yahoo.com

Make Checks Payable to: SCA Inc., Barony of Stonemarche

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