City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More

Featured Article

Fencing Finesse

Regional Fencing Tournament En Garde at Liberty Center

A unique event is coming to Liberty Township in February. The Queen City Cup youth fencing tournament is making its Butler County debut at Liberty Center, showcasing the finesse and skill of this strategic sport.

“We’re thrilled that the Queen City Cup fencing tournament will be hosted in Butler County in 2025,” said Kathryn Rawlinson, vice president of marketing and communications for Travel Butler County. “The selection of Liberty Center as the host venue for a USA Fencing-sanctioned event furthers Butler County’s reputation as a top-tier destination for youth and amateur sports. We look forward to welcoming fencers and their families to Butler County for the first time, and we know that they will enjoy exploring Butler County’s incredible communities during their stay.”

The event will be hosted by the Queen City Fencers Club and the United States Fencing Association in conjunction with Travel Butler County and Liberty Center. 

“It’s a creative use of space and increases exposure for the sport of fencing, improves the athlete experience and it's estimated at about a $600,000 economic impact to the township and center,” says Alex Burte, owner and head coach at the Queen City Fencers Club.

Fencing started centuries ago in what is now present day Europe. It has evolved since and modern fencing consists of three disciplines: foil, epee and saber. Each of these refers to the type of blade used and each has its own set of unique rules. Most fencers typically specialize in one of the three disciplines. No matter which blade is used, the main goal is to hit your opponent before they hit you. Fencing entered the Olympics in 1896 and has been a mainstay since. The sport has steadily grown in popularity with clubs throughout the United States, with many colleges offering teams.

Fencing matches (competitions between two teams) and bouts (competitions between two individuals) are timed and scored on the number of touches of the blade to the body. Each touch scores a point. The tips of the blades have electronic sensors to help record touches in the fast action. Each fencer wears protective clothing for safety from the blade strikes.

“Fencing can open doors to collegiate athletic and academic experiences,” says Burte, who acquired leadership of the Queen City Fencers Club in 2018.

The competition takes place February 22 and 23 with events for any USFA registered fencer from Y8 (8 years old and under) to U16 (under 16 years old). The matches begin at 8 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. with no cost for spectators. 

Burte hopes locals will come out to watch and see what he first saw in fencing when he started nearly 20 years ago. 

“Fencing is physically rigorous and also challenging for your mind,” Burte says. “It perfectly blends brain and body to be a game that exercises every aspect of yourself. Needing to outthink and outperform another human in a 1-on-1 match is more thrilling than besting any AI or computer. ”

Burte, a Walnut Hills High School graduate, started fencing in an after school program in second grade and has been involved ever since, including competing on the team at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. The Queen City Fencers Club is open to those who would like to learn more about fencing or want to compete against others in the area. 

“I enjoy the camaraderie between fencers in our region and the plentiful opportunities to travel and compete at the highest levels,” Burte shares. 

Queen City Cup | February 22-23 | 8 a.m.—5 p.m. | QueenCityFencers.com

Liberty Center, 7100 Foundry Row, Liberty Township

Free entry for spectators

“Fencing is physically rigorous and also challenging for your mind. It perfectly blends brain and body to be a game that exercises every aspect of yourself."