What is Estrella War?
Estrella War is the second largest event held by the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA, an educational non-profit corporation dedicated to recreating the Middle Ages. It is also the largest SCA event run by an all-volunteer staff (none of the people in costume that you see working at the event are being paid!). Instead, they are attending the event to take an active part in a week long recreation of medieval life, including mock battles, live arts demonstrations, classes about the arts and sciences of the Middle Ages, tournaments, and the pageantry of those times. Now in its 25th year, Estrella War usually takes place the second week of February, and lasts for seven days. In 2009, the event will be open from February 9th through 16th.
Is this like the Renaissance Festival?
No. Unlike a Renaissance Festival, where performers are paid to entertain attendees, the SCA is a re-enactment group where the people attending participate to learn and have fun (no one is paid to attend the event). All attendees at Estrella War are asked to dress in the clothing and armor of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and participate in activities that may feature medieval style tournaments, equestrian activities, arts exhibits, classes, workshops, dancing, feasts, and more. This provides seven days of medieval activities for individual attendees, as well as a wonderful opportunity for other educational organizations, schools, and home school groups to learn about life, activities, and arts in the Middle Ages (see the tours and demos page for more information) .
Do I have to be a member of the SCA to attend Estrella War?
No. People with an SCA membership pay a discounted entrance fee, but you do not have to be a member of the SCA to attend Estrella War. However, if you intend to stay and camp at the event (be there for more than a visit for the day), you are expected to come prepared to be a participant in an historical re-creationist event. That means you will be expected to wear medieval style clothing (not modern clothing) during the time you are at the event. If you plan to attend with children or pets, please review the special requirements for bringing them to Estrella War.
What is there to do?
There are dozens of areas of medieval activities to watch at Estrella War, and many activities you can participate in depending on your age, and experience with that activity. These range from arts demonstrations, cooking competitions, dances, equestrian activities, and several types of medieval style martial combat (just to mention a few!). For example, the SCA has stringent safety requirements for people who wish to participate in our medieval-style combat activities (standards for both for the protective armor you must wear and the skill level of the participant) – so not everyone can enter a tournament. But everyone can watch the activities, and interested new fighters can always find someone to explain how a new person can get started (just ask!). Here are a few suggestions:
In addition to these wonderful choices, there are many SCA ceremonial events like Royal Courts and processions, and a Grand Court jointly held by the SCA Kings and Queens who are attending the event (see the Schedules page for the time and place). Attending Grand Court is a wonderful way to see SCA Royalty from the 19 SCA Kingdoms located all over the Known World – all in their finest Royal attire, attended by courtiers, and displaying the heraldry and regalia that identifies their SCA Kingdom.
Is camping available at Estrella War, and what services are available?
Yes, your entrance fee includes access to camping areas and a number of services provided by the SCA and the property owner at the event site. Most people who attend Estrella War camp at the event for some or all or part of the event. Limited dry RV camping is also available, and there are hotels in nearby towns. For more information, see the camping and local lodging information on this website.
Where can I camp, and who do I camp with?
Are you completely new to the SCA, and think you want to attend the event and camp? Remember everyone at Estrella War was a new person in the SCA at one time, so they all understand how overwhelming it can seem to go to a big medieval style event and camp for the first time. We recommend you begin by reviewing the “What to Bring” and “Travel Information” pages on this website, and make some decisions about how you will get to Estrella War and what you will bring. If you then decide to camp, your next step should be to find the SCA local group closest to where you live. Contact them first to see if they have members attending the war, and ask whether you can arrange for camping space with them. Be sure to contact them well in advance of the event, so you can coordinate arrangements. If no one in your local group is planning to attend, most groups will know someone who is attending, and are usually willing to help you connect with them. When none of those options work, you can contact the officers listed as “Gold Key”, “Chatelaine” or “Seneschal” for your local group, or for the SCA Kingdom where you live, and ask for help. You can find more info here.
Where is the event, and do I have to drive or can I fly there?
The Estrella War site (Canyon Moon Ranch, 20585 Price Station Rd. Florence, AZ 85232) is located outside the small town of Florence, AZ, about 45 minutes away from both the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas. While there are a number of small towns within 40 miles of the site, it is essentially located in a rural area. So you will need to arrange some sort of vehicle transportation to the site (car, limo, shuttle, or taxi), and may have to travel 10 to 40 miles to get supplies or seek medical attention after you arrive. Before making your decisions about how to travel to Estrella War, we recommend you review the following pages of information:
Once I pay my entrance fee may I leave Estrella War and get back in?
Yes, you will be given a site token (proof of payment of your entrance fee) which should be worn at all times while attending Estrella War, and a car tag that authorize your re-entry if you leave the park grounds (both a site token and a car tag are needed to get back into the event, so be sure you take both with you when you leave). Please see the Site Rules for more information.
Any day is a great day to attend Estrella War, and the more days you can attend, the better! If you are only able to attend for part of the event, choose the days you’ll be there based on when the activities you most enjoy are happening. Check the “Schedules” page to help see what’s planned on each day of the event. If you have questions about specific activities and you don’t find the information you need in a schedule, email the War Staffer who is responsible for coordinating that activity and ask for more information.
What is Pre-Registration, and do I have to Pre-Register to attend?
“Pre-registration” is used to mail or pay your fees online before the event, and has a number of benefits, including lower entrance fees than the General Admission you would pay when you arrive at the site, and the option to purchase Reserved and Dry RV Parking (see the “Pre-registration” page to review all the benefits). Pre-registered attendees can choose to pay for a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday arrival at Estrella War XXV. Pre-registration for Estrella War XXV (To Be Determined). Pre-registration is not required to attend Estrella War --see the “Troll/Front Gate” page for information on paying a General Admission entrance fee when you arrive at the event.
What on-site services are available Estrella War?
Your entrance fee to the Estrella War includes the use of shower trucks, porta-potties (sorry, no flush toilets!), an on-site store and a number of other on-site services. A list of nearby businesses and medical facilities is also provided on this website.
What do I need to bring to Estrella War?
A good place to start is here. Remember to consider the weather you may encounter in the winter Arizona desert, and the paperwork and identification you must bring for yourself, for the minors and pets attending the event with you.
Is Estrella War handicap accessible?
Yes and no. The Estrella War site (Canyon Moon Ranch, 20585 Price Station Rd. Florence, AZ 85232) is a large festival site located in a rural area. While a few activities (like Grand Court and artisan functions) are held inside big pavilions, most activities are outdoors on flat grassed areas, camping is on farm land that is used to grow alfalfa when it is not in use for festivals, and areas of the site are connected by dirt or graveled roads, wooden walk-over bridges, and dirt footpaths (there are no paved sidewalks or roads). To navigate around the site, attendees with a Handicapped Parking Pass can drive to different parts of the site and park, but the attendee must then be able to walk or use a wheelchair to move from the vehicle to where the activity is happening.
Most well trafficked areas (like Merchant’s Row) have handicapped porta-potties available, handicapped accessible showers are provided at the shower trucks, and a limited number of electrical outlets are reserved at Chirurgeon’s Point for recharging or using medical devices. In addition, a Special Needs Coordinator is available to provide golf cart transport for those with special needs (requests are handled on a first-come, first-serve, as-available basis.) Please check the Gatebook you receive when you arrive at the event for the days/hours this Special Needs service is provided, and how you can request it.
A list of nearby medical facilities and pharmacies is also included on this website for your convenience. If you wish more information about handicapped access or services, please email your questions to the Special Needs Coordinator before you arrive at the event.
What do the merchants sell?
Almost anything you might need for Estrella War or any other SCA event is for sale at Estrella War, including a wonderful selection of food. Whether you need armor, costumes, accessories, books, jewelry, medieval-styled furniture or the supplies to construct these or many other medieval items, you can find it all on Estrella War’s Merchant’s Row where over 150 merchants operate booths each year . Many merchants accept personal checks with proper identification, and an increasing number will take major credit cards. If it’s cash only, there are ATM machines available on Merchant’s Row.
How can I be a merchant?
Over 7,000 people attend Estrella War each year, and that’s a wonderful sales opportunity for merchants selling medieval themed merchandise. Merchants must pre-register with the Merchant Coordinator to participate, and are required to have core sales items consistent with the historical time period of the SCA or current SCA usage. Booth operators and their assistants are also required to dress in medieval style clothing throughout the event. For more information, and a complete list of the merchants who participated in Merchant’s Row at last year’s Estrella War, see the Merchant Registration page.
As an active enlisted member of the military is there a contact phone number I may be reached at on site?
No. There are no onsite land phone lines at the site. However, most cell phone services receive good reception at the site, so it is recommended that you arrange to bring a cell phone, and a car charger so you can keep the phone charged and receive messages during the event.
What else should I know?
We have tried to anticipate all of the questions attendees at Estrella War may have about the event and provide that information on this website. But there is always something we miss. If you cannot find the answers to your questions here, please review the War Staff list and contact the person in charge of that area with your question. If you can’t determine who to send the question to, contact the Main Event Coordinators.