Hold a New Tournament
Reason: festival
Events: martial arts, jousting, magical duels and throwing (javelins, etc)
Style: round robin / points-based
Length: nearly a week
Awards: first, second and third place
Top Prizes: bragging rights and minor gifts
Crowd: wants to see blood
Betting: official - fair odds
Other Entertainment: trained animals, local bards and acrobats and jugglers
Competitors of interest:
The gangly youth who knows quite a few unorthodox tricks.
The disgraced noble who is very good.
The tricky rogue who proves to be highly honoroble.
The nondescript mercenary who practices an usual style.