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Blacksmithing Festival Lights Up Spruce Pine

Josh Yokubinas of Jacob’s Son Blacksmithing. Photo by Ruthie Styles.

Co-sponsored by Penland School of Crafts and Toe River Arts Council, Spruce Pine Main Street (SPMS) will host the annual Fire on the Mountain Blacksmithing Festival on Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the event, where thousands of visitors gather on the streets of downtown Spruce Pine to celebrate the art of blacksmithing.

“Attendees this year will find a variety of smiths and tool vendors displaying and selling their work, with many booths featuring live demonstrations,” says Libby Phillips, executive director of SPMS. “Each year, we partner with Toe River Arts Council to offer an artist exhibit for the month of April honoring the work of famous blacksmiths from the southeast and beyond.”

The Hands-on Tent, sponsored by Penland School of Crafts, allows people of all ages to try their hand at the art of blacksmithing with assistance from an experienced blacksmith. Live demonstrations will be provided throughout the day by 2017 Master Blacksmith Lee Sauder of Germinal Ironworks, Penland resident artist Seth Gould and April Franklin of Vexed Metal. The third annual forging contest will be a spoon competition, where participants will be given a rod of iron, one hour and minimal tools to create their best spoon for a chance to win a prize basket.

“Each year, our event grows with more vendors and activities,” says Phillips. “This year, we hope to exceed attendance of 3,500 people from our 10th anniversary year.”

Those wishing to make a it a two-day event can attend the Master Blacksmith Demonstration Workshop on Friday, April 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance reservations are required and those interested should contact Stacey Lane at staceylane@penland.org. There is also a free lecture by Lee Sauder at the Penland Campus at 8 p.m. on the day of the event.

Admission is free to the public and the festival is held rain or shine. For more information, contact Libby Phillips at 828.765.3008, visit downtownsprucepine.com or follow the event on Facebook.

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