Bacon Bash XI: The Bacon Games, Chewy vs. Crispy
Montgomery Bell State Park
Burns, TN
18 October 2025
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| Sindri and Martin de Bernay doing pickups. |
On the middle of the month of October, A.S. LX, I travelled to an event, hosted by the Shire of Crimson River, in the western borderlands of the Barony of Glaedenfeld. Sindri Brynjarsson accompanied by on the journey. The event, called ‘Bacon Bash XI: The Bacon Games, Chewy vs. Crispy, is an annual staple gathering well attended and a good regional gathering of the northern region of Meridies.
I did not bring any harness or kit to the event. Trying to heal up some aches and strains that professional guidance directed me to ‘lay off’ for a bit to try to allow recovery. Instead, I opted to do other things. I went to the event without a plan and just looked about to see what I could get into.
My travelling companion, Sindri Brynjarsson, was able to fight in the armored combat tournaments and got in on several pickup fights. Here is video of the tournament.
After some socializing, I found myself on the fighting field helping Lord Benjamin de Hatfield and Sir Legio Uv Orkney with the tournament administration. And, shortly in I found myself as a voice herald for the tournament. That was a first I think. I don’t believe I ever specifically did voice heraldry for an entire tournament before. I took a few rounds of introductions before I got into the swing of things and started getting name pronunciations right. But, it was enjoyable. I started feeling a ‘Vegas fight announcer’ vibe as I got comfortable and had some fun with it. Normally, when I raise by voice I just sound like an angry person (military command voice be like that), so I do so rarely. With a little radio DJ inflection though, I don’t think I sound too mean. My only concern is that the pitch of my voice can be a little low and I think it might be hard to hear in some conditions. Lord Benjamin handled the salutes and such. Which offloaded about half of what a normal voice herald job involves. That made things a lot easier for this first timer.
I might have to look into doing voice heraldry some more in the future. The only issue I had was potential throat soreness, but I had some Ricola on me and that solved my voice issues before they became a problem. I don’t talk a lot normally and public speaking is ‘a punishment’ generally in my mind. Like, I get shaking nervous in formal settings where I have to speak. It’s horrible. But, field heraldry is just shouting into the wind. No real audience other than the grass and trees, unlike having an audience and the feedback of facial expressions and body language. So, no nervousness. Just reading the names from the cards and such.
Sindri and I only visited for the day. We stayed on the tournament field for almost the entire time. The event also had classes and live weapons in other locations of the site. The feast later in the day had a lot of bacon, true to the events name and by all accounts was really good. When Bacon Bash next appears on your calendar, circle the date and make an effort to visit. It is worth the trip.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
Meistr Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Warden of the Northern Plateau
Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
