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Epee de Groundhog to celebrate 14th annual fencing event

The Scout Island Fencing Club (SIFC) is preparing to host the 14th Annual Epee de Groundhog fencing competition on Saturday, Feb. 1.

The groundhog is coming.

That’s the message from Glen Burill, president of the Scout Island Fencing Club (SIFC), who is preparing to host the 14th Annual Epee de Groundhog fencing competition on Saturday, Feb. 1.

“We’ll be at our salle d’armes at the Mountview elementary gym,” Burill said.

Epee de Groundhog, or the groundhog’s sword, has a longstanding tradition in Williams Lake.

The SIFC was created in 1997 when Burill and a group of friends were looking for a place to fence.

With no gym or building to operate out of Scout Island became the go-to spot for fencers within Williams Lake.

The inaugural Epee de Groundhog was hosted in 2001.

This year’s event will feature under 12 epee, cadet epee, open epee and open sabre divisions.

“We begin at 9 a.m. but would appreciate help with the set up and tear down,” Burill said.

“Come on out for lots of fencing and fun.”

Anyone is invited to attend.