In the 1940 WPA Gym an assemblage gathered in front of the many tables laden with knives and other merchandise that comprised the two-day event’s knife show. A proclamation that the festival be opened signed by Washington Mayor Paul Henley was read.
“Our deepest hope is that this historic festival shall in all its endeavors celebrate native son James Black, the blacksmith who forged the first Bowie knife for Jim Bowie here in Washington, Arkansas,” the proclamation said. It also paid respects to all the craftsmen and -women who will feature their work at the festival.
Then a pink ribbon was stretched across the retinue by Hope-Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Christy Burns and Administrative Assistant/Membership Manager Kimberly McMahan. Then it was cut by announcer Dan Ford.
At mid-morning Friday, many vendors had set up just east of the 1824 Courthouse Visitor Center and Gift Shop and in its surrounding yard. Scheduled events for Friday included a re-enactment of the forgoing of the first Bowie knife; appearances, demonstrations and autograph signings by Doug Mercaida and J. Neilson from Forged in Fire. Welding Schools and Knife Makers Forging Challenge and Talks and Demonstration by Anthony De Longis and JW Wiseman will take place in the afternoon.
Saturday will feature more scheduled events, including a repeat of the appearances by the Forged in Fire personalities, the announcement at Farmer’s Market Pavilion of the 2024 Arkansas Living Treasure and the naming of the public forging challenge contestants at 11:30 a.m. After Talks and Demonstrations by Marcaida, Neilson and De Longis at the James Black School, the State Cutting Competition starts at 2:30 at the JBS School.
The event finishes up at 4:00 p.m. Saturday with Talks and Demonstrations by De Longis and Wiseman and the announcement of the winner of the Vilar Knife Raffle at Famer’s Market Pavilion.
Throughout the two days, attendees will have their choice among several all day events, too. These are shown below before our pictorial from just after the ribbon cutting.
