Natural Chimneys

Backtracking in time, a revival of jousting occurred in Mount Solon, Virginia in 1821, when a young Virginian maiden could not choose between two ardent suitors. Instead of doing the usual thing, like tossing a coin or resorting to ‘eenie-meenie-minie-mo’, she took the advice of her uncle and decided to bestow her favor on the winner of a jousting contest.

The said joust took place at the Shenandoah Valleys’ spectacular Natural Chimneys, so chosen for their resemblance to medieval castles. The two contestants rode at three rings suspended from arches 30 yards apart. On the day of the event, a large crowd turned out to witness the spectacle and a good time was had by all. Such a good time, in fact, that the joust was turned into an annual event.

Ever since, on the third Saturday in August, the winning knight has earned the right to name and crown his Queen of Love and Beauty. That makes the Mount Solon jousting tournament the longest-reigning regular sporting event in America.

http://www.discoverychannelasia.com/medievalhistory/feature3.shtml

http://www.mme.state.va.us/DMR/Gallery/GEOMOR/Morp/nat_chim.html

Natural Chimneys:

near Mt Solon in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia

http://www.uvrpa.org/specialevents.htm

In addition to the Natural Chimneys Joust, the National Jousting Hall Of Fame Joust is held each year at Natural Chimneys Regional Park on the 3rd Saturday of June.

http://www.nationaljousting.com/fame.htm

http://kyky.essortment.com/medievaljoustin_rbje.htm

What is Medieval jousting?