The Outlaw Travis James Posted August 18, 2025 Posted August 18, 2025 (edited) The wait is finally over! The application for The Last Stand – the 2026 SASS Florida State Championship is here. Don’t wait to get registered because we are capping the match at 220 shooters, so if you wait too long, you may miss out. From the reviews we received last year, I ‘m predicting that we will fill up very fast! Our theme for 2026 is Unleash Your Inner Villain. So, if you have ever harbored a desire to be the villain while watching your favorite westerns, now is your time. Join me and the other outlaws and ne’er-do-wells and become the bad-guy for a weekend. It’s more fun than you may think! 2026 Schedule We’ve moved The Last Stand 2026 to the third week in March because of Easter being the first weekend in April next year. The 2026 dates are now March 19th-21st, 2026. We will have side matches on Thursday and a 10-stage two-day Main Match Friday and Saturday. Casino Night Because of popular demand, we are bringing back Friday night side match awards and Casino Night. But this year, it will be bigger and better. We have rented a bigger room and will have more tables for you to gamble on. And we are hoping for a better response to the RSVP request so we can be sure of having enough food this year. Be sure to watch your inbox and SASS Florida for the RSVP request once we get closer to game time. Host Hotel The Last Stand Committee has procured the same host hotel as last year. We will be hosting Side Match Awards, Casino Night, the Costume Contest, and the Saturday Awards Banquet at the host hotel. They have extended our special block rates to Wednesday night. Ask for "The Last Stand" when booking. If you need extra nights (outside of March 18th-20th) with the blocked rate, just call them and they will be happy to oblige. They gave us rates for Wednesday and Thursday nights of $129 and Friday and Saturday nights of $135. You can book by either calling the number below or following the link. The link will only work for booking Wednesday – Saturday night. Extra nights at the block rate will have to be phoned in. Best Western Gateway Grand 4200 NW 97th Blvd Gainesville, FL 32606 (352)331-3336 Online Reservations: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.10281.html?groupId=Y65XG0S9 Host Campground The TLS Committee also set up rates with the same campground as last year. I am providing a link to the website below, but you must call to get the blocked rate of $65 per night. Ask for "The Last Stand" when calling. Santa Fe Palms RV Resort 3013 NE 53rd Ave Gainesville, FL 32609 (352)451-4566 CALL for Reservations Website for reference only: https://santafepalmsrvresort.com/ Sponsors and Vendors The 2026 Sponsor and Vendor application is not complete yet. We will be sending out another email when they are ready. The links on our website are not current so DO NOT use those. If you are interested in vending or sponsoring, please stay tuned. The Last Stand Committee is excited about next year. We invite you to join us for a one-of-a-kind match that is fun for everyone! We guarantee you make memories that won’t soon be forgotten. See you in March for The Last Stand 2026 and Unleash Your Inner Villain with us! On behalf of The Last Stand Committee Much obliged, The OTJ Social Media Wrangler More Info: https://laststand.org/ TLS2026_App_08012025.pdf Edited August 18, 2025 by The Outlaw Travis James 4 Quote
I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321 Posted August 19, 2025 Posted August 19, 2025 This is a great shoot and it gets filled up pretty quickly. The Cracker Crew does put on a great shoot. Will be sending my apps in very soon. Don't want to miss this one. Great time for them northerners to come on down to the Sunshine State for some nice warm weather and some fun time. 1 Quote
Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L Posted August 19, 2025 Posted August 19, 2025 Holli and I will be there! Apps were printed this morning and will be in the mail tomorrow morning when I make my post office run. We plan to stay at the Host Hotel this year, just trying to decide if we want to come in on Wednesday night or Thursday afternoon. Decisions, decisions.... Looking forward to another great match! 1 Quote
The Outlaw Travis James Posted August 19, 2025 Author Posted August 19, 2025 15 hours ago, I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321 said: This is a great shoot and it gets filled up pretty quickly. The Cracker Crew does put on a great shoot. Will be sending my apps in very soon. Don't want to miss this one. Great time for them northerners to come on down to the Sunshine State for some nice warm weather and some fun time. It is going to be a fun time! Can't wait! Quote
The Outlaw Travis James Posted August 19, 2025 Author Posted August 19, 2025 11 minutes ago, Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L said: Holli and I will be there! Apps were printed this morning and will be in the mail tomorrow morning when I make my post office run. We plan to stay at the Host Hotel this year, just trying to decide if we want to come in on Wednesday night or Thursday afternoon. Decisions, decisions.... Looking forward to another great match! I say come down as early as possible! Side matches all day on Thursday. WB, BP, Speed, and who knows what else... 1 Quote
Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L Posted August 20, 2025 Posted August 20, 2025 18 hours ago, The Outlaw Travis James said: I say come down as early as possible! Side matches all day on Thursday. WB, BP, Speed, and who knows what else... Well, we decided this morning. We are coming in Wednesday afternoon from Dunedin, FL. Host Hotel room is booked, Wednesday through Sunday, and we are planning to shoot the BP Side Match as a warm up as we will likely not have shot since January when we (hopefully) make our Florida trip, and since November prior to that. Last Stand will officially kick off our 2026 Big Match Season! I noticed that there was a change-up of the schedule this year with the "Shoot-Off" on Saturday and no events scheduled for Sunday. Should be a lot easier on folks who travel from a distance to get there, not to mention all the folks that work so hard to put the match on! We are available to assist with side-matches on Thursday, AM if needed, but will be busy making smoke in the afternoon! T-211 Days & Counting.... 1 Quote
Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L Posted November 5, 2025 Posted November 5, 2025 (edited) Congratulations to the Roughshod Raiders and The Last Stand for being selected as the 2025 SASS Match Of The Year! YaaaaaHooooo! I anticipate that 2026 will be even better! I see that the Who's Coming List has been updated and that, as of 10/26/2025, there are 129 lucky cowpokes signed up for the match and that leaves only 91 more slots to go before it is filled up! Looking forward to the match and the start of the 2026 Big Match season for Holli and I. T-134 Days & Counting and the Clock's-A-Tickin'.... Edited November 5, 2025 by Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L 'Cause I Don't Spel Two Gud! 1 Quote
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted November 5, 2025 Posted November 5, 2025 Santa Fe Palms is an excellent RV park a reasonable distance from the match. It is gated and offers some food trucks and entertainment. Quote
The Outlaw Travis James Posted November 5, 2025 Author Posted November 5, 2025 (edited) 🏆 The Last Stand 2026 📯 Breaking News from Land Run! 📯 Well saddle my horse and call me lucky - at the SASS National Championships opening ceremonies, The Last Stand was named Match of the Year! 🤠🏆 A mighty big thank ya to every hand who helped build it, shoot it, and keep the spirit alive. From the hard-ridin’ crew to the fine folks who traveled near and far, this honor belongs to all y’all. Here’s to the smoke, the steel, and the stories we’ve shared on that hallowed ground. The Last Stand ain’t just a match - it’s a legend we’re all writin’ together. 🔥 Word’s out. The Last Stand 2026 applications are ridin’ in fast, and we have already hit 💯 129 SHOOTERS SIGNED UP! For those keepin’ count, that’s over half full. 88 returning, 41 new, 16 States represented: AL (4), CT (1), DE (4), FL (67), GA (7), IN (5), MA (2), MD (2), MI (7), NC (5), NM (2), NY (3), OH (13), SC (5), UT (1), WV (1) Warm Ups - 69 Registered Black Powder - 20 Registered Wild Bunch - 10 Registered Spots are limited to 220 total. Once the corral fills, the gate swings shut 🚪. Do not be left watchin’ from the fenceline 🐄. Get your application in before the herd runs you over 🐎. 🃏 Friday Poker Night Returns 🎲 Bigger, louder, and rowdier than ever. More tables, more games, and room for a whole mess o’ spectators. Keep your eyes peeled 👀 for the RSVP call. And this year’s theme: “Unleash Your Inner Villain.” 😈 If you ever hankered to play the outlaw, here is your chance to walk the dark side of the street. 👉 Application’s hitched below. Follow the link for all the details: https://laststand.org/ The Last Stand 2026 Match Info When: March 19-21, 2026 Where: Shoot GTR, 1610 NW 65th Place, Gainesville, FL 32653 📍 Schedule: Thursday 3/19: Side Matches Friday 3/20: 5 Main Match Stages, Poker Night, Side Match Awards Saturday 3/21: 5 Main Match Stages, Shootoff, Costume Contest, Awards Banquet Much obliged, The OTJ – MD Roughshod Raiders Edited November 5, 2025 by The Outlaw Travis James 1 1 Quote
Scrub Oak Willie 53737 Posted November 5, 2025 Posted November 5, 2025 Left out 2 from Tn.😀😀. Scrub Oak Willie & Garnet Gal 1 Quote
The Outlaw Travis James Posted November 5, 2025 Author Posted November 5, 2025 13 minutes ago, Scrub Oak Willie 53737 said: Left out 2 from Tn.😀😀. Scrub Oak Willie & Garnet Gal We have about 9 applications that haven't been opened yet. They are coming in faster than we can process them! Quote
Jack Spade Posted November 6, 2025 Posted November 6, 2025 Add at least one from Missouri, put my application in the mail yesterday. Can't wait to see all my Florida friends! 1 Quote
The Outlaw Travis James Posted November 6, 2025 Author Posted November 6, 2025 12 minutes ago, Jack Spade said: Add at least one from Missouri, put my application in the mail yesterday. Can't wait to see all my Florida friends! Awesome! Bring a couple more with you. I don't think Missouri was represented last year. 1 Quote
Jack Spade Posted November 8, 2025 Posted November 8, 2025 On 11/6/2025 at 6:49 AM, The Outlaw Travis James said: Awesome! Bring a couple more with you. I don't think Missouri was represented last year. I have at least one rounded up, working on some others. Quote
Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L Posted December 5, 2025 Posted December 5, 2025 (edited) Digging through some old papers and found this. It was from the first Florida State Champioonship we ever attended. Made all the rest since except for the two years in Tallahassee, the schedule just didn't work for us. The 2026 match will make the 18th Florida State Championship we have attended! That's more than the number of Maryland State Championships we shot. (Mostly because I was too busy running the dang thing! ) Edited December 5, 2025 by Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L 'Cause I Don't Spel Two Gud! 2 Quote
The Outlaw Travis James Posted December 5, 2025 Author Posted December 5, 2025 The Last Stand 2026 Word’s out. The Last Stand 2026 applications are ridin’ in fast, and the corral is fillin’ up steady. Updated registrations as of today: 146 shooters (with 15-20 unprocessed) - 99 returning, 47 new (22 Extra Banquet Tickets). 18 States represented: AL (5), CT (2), DE (4), FL (73), GA (9), IN (7), MA (2), MD (2), MI (7), MO (2), NC (5), NM (2), NY (3), OH (13), SC (6), TN (2), UT (1), WV (1). Warm Ups – 77 Black Powder – 22 Wild Bunch – 13 Spots are limited to 220 total. Once the corral fills, the gate swings shut and latecomers are left listenin’ to the fun from the fence line. Get your application in before the herd runs you over. Friday Poker Night Returns Bigger, louder, and rowdier than ever. More tables, more chips, and more excuses to bluff your pards while a whole mess o’ spectators hoop and holler. Keep your eyes peeled for the RSVP call and plan on stayin’ late Friday night. And this year’s theme: “Unleash Your Inner Villain.” If you ever hankered to play the outlaw, here is your chance to walk the dark side of the street. Application’s hitched below. Follow the link for all the details: https://laststand.org/ The Last Stand 2026 Match Info When: March 19-21, 2026 Where: Shoot GTR, 1610 NW 65th Place, Gainesville, FL 32653 Schedule: Thursday 3/19: Side Matches Friday 3/20: 5 Main Match Stages, Poker Night, Side Match Awards Saturday 3/21: 5 Main Match Stages, Shootoff, Costume Contest, Awards Banquet Much obliged, The OTJ - MD Roughshod Raiders The Last Stand Committee Member 1 Quote
I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321 Posted December 5, 2025 Posted December 5, 2025 Wow! 18 states represented, AWESOME. Happy to see some of my Ohio pards making down south. Quote
Captain Bill Burt Posted December 7, 2025 Posted December 7, 2025 I hope I can make it again this year! Quote
The Outlaw Travis James Posted January 13 Author Posted January 13 The Last Stand 2026 Update – January 12, 2026 About 20 Slots Left to Unleash Your Inner Villain! We are about 9 weeks out from the 2026 Florida State Championship, The Last Stand, organized by The Last Stand Committee and hosted by the Roughshod Raiders. The Last Stand Committee and a huge posse o’ volunteers have been working their tails off to make The Last Stand somethin’ special once again. The props are starting to take shape as our army of artists brings Santa Fe River Stan’s vision to life, and it is already lookin’ like the kind of trouble your inner villain would be proud of. We’ve about 20 slots left until we start a waitin’ list, so do not delay. March will be here soon, and once it rolls in, it does not slow down for anybody. This year’s theme is Unleash Your Inner Villain, so lean into it. Pack that black-hat, practice your meanest grin, and come ready to ring the steel and stir up some good clean mayhem with friends. 📣 Register now at https://laststand.org/ Updated registrations (as of 1/11/2026): 197 shooters 129 returning shooters 68 new shooters 36 extra banquet tickets 21 States represented: FL (93), OH (16), IN (11), SC (11), GA (10), NC (10), AL (9), MI (8), CT (4), DE (4), NY (3), IA (3), MD (3), MA (2), MO (2), NM (2), TN (2), KY (1), PA (1), UT (1), WV (1) Ohio is bringin’ a stout crew this year. And we’re seein’ a border invasion from our close-by neighbors, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina. If you’re close enough to make it a drive, this is your cue to saddle up. Bring a partner in crime, load up the wagon, and come Unleash Your Inner Villain with us. Side match tentative schedule: Thursday is packed tighter than a stagecoach, so plan ahead. Black Powder: Thursday AM Wild Bunch: Thursday PM Warm Up: Thursday AM and PM Speed Match: Thursday AM and PM Long Range: Thursday AM and PM Side match registrations: Warm Ups: 103 Black Powder: 23 Wild Bunch: 17 🃏 Friday Poker Night Update 🎲 We rented the big room for Friday night and added two more gambling tables. Here’s what we’re plannin’: 3 blackjack tables 2 craps tables 1 roulette wheel Instead of winning’ money, ya win tickets. When you’re finished for the evenin’, you turn in your tickets and they’re entered in a drawin’. We’ll draw the winner at the end of the evenin’. The more tickets ya win, the better your chances of winnin’ the prize! And because every villain needs a little spotlight, we are also havin’ karaoke hosted by Rooster Leadbelly. Come sing it proud, cheer the posse, and laugh like you meant to do it all along. Stay tuned for more info. If you want to dodge that waiting list, get registered today at https://laststand.org/ The “Who’s Coming” List is attached below. The OTJ - MD Roughshod Raiders Email: TheOTJ@RoughshodRaiders.com Quote
The Outlaw Travis James Posted January 13 Author Posted January 13 From Tilly Two Spurs: Good morning! As we all saw, we have about 9 weeks until The Last Stand 2026! We cannot wait to see you all in March! We are still looking for a few stage sponsors and side match sponsors! If you are interested in supporting The Last Stand in either of these departments, please email me and I will gladly send you a sponsorship application! tillytwospurs.tls@gmail.com Looking forward to hearing from you! Tilly Two Spurs Quote
Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L Posted January 13 Posted January 13 I'm sure looking forward to this match! Holli and I were supposed to have been down in Florida this past week, and had hoped to shoot with the Raiders, Hernando, and Ft.White while there but sadly personal family responsibilities kept us trapped here in Maryland. Boy oh boy did I need that break... I'm glad we signed up for the Warm-Up Match as it will likely be the first shoot we have since NC State at the early part of November. I should be good and rusty by that point! As long as I remember that the bullet comes out of the Pointy End, I should be fine. I have so much to do between now and then it feels like nine weeks is just the blink of an eye, yet at the same time nine weeks seems like an eternity. Maybe Einstein was right... Quote
Mean Mary 45913 Posted January 14 Posted January 14 (edited) Apps in the mail Edited January 15 by Mean Mary 45913 2 Quote
T-Square Posted January 31 Posted January 31 A Regretful Notice from the Frontier Friends, pards, saloon girls and keepers of the holy loading lever, It pains me deeply—right down to my powder flask—to announce that I will not be shootin’ the Florida State SASS Championship, “The Land Stand,” this March. Yes, I know - A Frontiersman missin’ a premier state match is a sorry sight indeed. My Ruger Old Army pistols will remain holstered at home, unfired and deeply offended. The black powder will go unsparked. The gunsmoke—that sweet, eye-waterin’, historically accurate cloud—will have to drift without me. Florida air will be tragically clearer for it. Instead of standin’ on the line smellin’ sulfur and grinnin’ through the haze, I’ll be stranded in Las Vegas, deliverin’ a lecture to a group of Saw-Bones at their annual Meeting. Important business, they tell me—but notably short on smoke, steel, and the satisfying boom of a properly loaded cap-and-ball revolver. Make no mistake: I would vastly prefer fouled cylinders, dirty hands, and the gentle argument of whether my pistols are properly filthy… but duty has roped me and dragged me west to save the human race. Shoot straight, load heavy, and send a little extra smoke downrange on my behalf. I’ll be thinkin’ of The Land Stand every time a PowerPoint slide changes instead of a fully loaded cylinder. Regretfully absent, and a disappointed Frontiersman, Dreamin’ of Cowgirls, Ruger Old Armies, black powder, and gunsmoke 🤠 2 1 Quote
Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L Posted February 3 Posted February 3 Looks like the match is just about full-up! Looking forward to a good time and an escape from the Snow and Ice here in the Mid-Atlantic. Holli and I did manage to escape to Florida before the snow hit, but we could only stay a few days and returned Wednesday to a frozen wasteland. We got about 18" of snow that got compacted to about 12" by at least 2 inches of sleet that was then topped of with about a quarter inch of ice. Basically and ice-cream sandwich of snow and ice, but at least it was snow on the bottom. This is what it felt like when we arrived back home late Wednesday night! I spent 5 days shoveling (My back could only handle about 3 hours a day) cutting out chunks and moving them off to the side. Took two days just to chop through the ice fortress the the plows left at the end of the driveway. The chunks shown below are solid blocks of ice/snow. They will likely be there until we leave for The Last Stand in 5 weeks! I swear, this is the stuff the Eskimos use to build igloos and if I were 20 years younger I would have built one! Quote
I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321 Posted February 3 Posted February 3 1 hour ago, Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L said: Looks like the match is just about full-up! Looking forward to a good time and an escape from the Snow and Ice here in the Mid-Atlantic. Holli and I did manage to escape to Florida before the snow hit, but we could only stay a few days and returned Wednesday to a frozen wasteland. We got about 18" of snow that got compacted to about 12" by at least 2 inches of sleet that was then topped of with about a quarter inch of ice. Basically and ice-cream sandwich of snow and ice, but at least it was snow on the bottom. This is what it felt like when we arrived back home late Wednesday night! I spent 5 days shoveling (My back could only handle about 3 hours a day) cutting out chunks and moving them off to the side. Took two days just to chop through the ice fortress the the plows left at the end of the driveway. The chunks shown below are solid blocks of ice/snow. They will likely be there until we leave for The Last Stand in 5 weeks! I swear, this is the stuff the Eskimos use to build igloos and if I were 20 years younger I would have built one! Can't handle the snow anymore that's why I moved to Florida from Ohio after 50 years of dealing with it. Don't mind the cold temperature, but it's winter without the stress of shoveling snow. Go easy and don't strain your back. But I would say great job on clearing your driveway. Wife is happy, I bet.😊 Quote
Dogmeat Dad, SASS #48563L Posted February 3 Posted February 3 12 minutes ago, I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321 said: Can't handle the snow anymore that's why I moved to Florida from Ohio after 50 years of dealing with it. Don't mind the cold temperature, but it's winter without the stress of shoveling snow. Go easy and don't strain your back. But I would say great job on clearing your driveway. Wife is happy, I bet.😊 I am looking forward to the day when Holli and I can snowbird in Florida at our Condo in Dunedin. Soon, but not soon enough! I think about moving south constantly, not only for the weather but to get away from the Washington, DC area political landscape. Maryland has it's attractions (Lived my entire life here in the same county) but the detriments have exceeded the benefits for a long, long, time. If it weren't for having all of my kids and grandkids an hour away from our house, I'd be long gone! (Well, as soon as I finish dealing with my Mothers estate, which may just kill me and solve multiple problems! ) Quote
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