Spring - Maple Fest 3/23/19

This Spring has been crazy at the forge on the Richfield Historical Grounds. Last week we gave a demonstration to five set for Girl Scout for 20 minutes each at the shop. It was a cold day for both Gary Gade and I to heat up metal and instruct to young girls the art of blacksmithing. Hope they enjoyed it as much as we did.

Yesterday was the much anticipated Maple Syrup Festival. The weather Gods provided us with a beautiful Spring Day which thousands of folks came out to enjoy the RHS grounds and demonstrations. Unfortunately, Gary was sick so I have to help coordinate that set-up then the blacksmith shop runs itself. Big shoot out to Kathy and Denice for getting there early to open the shop and get things moving. By the time I arrived all we needed was to figure out who does what when. Big Mike and Mike (farrier) squared off in opposite ends of the shop to fire up their forges and get to work. I was on the Big Forge most of the day bending, twisting and hammering various project to show the crowd. We were the first venue from the parking lot and got a steady stream of people all day till 4pm.

   I also was relied that profession blacksmiths Andy and Jeff B. came to fill in the slack being well versed in working with all kinds of people. Many folks came in to the shop looking for Gary, a pillar of the forge, but will have to wait for a Step Back in time come June. After 7 hours on my feet, I was exhausted ready to go home. Waiting for better weather to forge on a nicer day.