Enjoy The 2nd Annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival

It's almost time for the 2nd Annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival in Washington, Arkansas.

This year's special guests to the festival will be from the History Channel's ‘Forged in Fire’ with the judge and edged weapons combat specialist Doug Marcaida plus former ‘Forged in Fire’ champion Ricardo Vilar.

University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Foundation

There will also be other talented bladesmiths showing their knives and the stories behind them. Don't miss the story of Jim Bowie's travels and the history of the Bowie Knife.

University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Foundation

It all takes place this weekend starting on Friday, April 21 and going on Saturday, April 22 from 9 AM to 5 PM both days.

The festival is a celebration of James Black, the bladesmith who made the very first Bowie Knife for Jim Bowie in Washington, Arkansas.

According to the press release;

Exhibits and workshops, period music, a knife show, and a knife cutting competition organized by “National Living Treasure” and Mastersmith Jerry Fisk and former ‘Forged in Fire’ champion Ricardo Vilar, both of Nashville, Arkansas, will be features of the festival. Former resident Mastersmith at the Historic Arkansas Museum, Lin Rhea, will exhibit and demonstrate his bladesmith skills at the festival. In addition, knifemakers from nine states will attend to sell and showcase their work, and craft vendors will teach techniques of their trades.

There will also be arts, and crafts, food and a Kids' Corner where they'll learn about heritage crafts and they will also receive a wooden replica of a Bowie knife while supplies last.

University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Foundation

Other events to check out during the festival are a presentation by Doug Marcaida and Ricardo Vilar, music from the Common Ground Band, storytelling, Clarke Buehling, Rackensack, Arkansas Arts Council Living Treasures presentation, a performance by the Washington Vintage Dancers, and demonstration from Southwest Arkansas Taekwondo.

The festival is free admission but there will be a $6 parking fee. This festival is put on by The City of Washington, Arkansas along with the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Foundation and Historic Washington State Park.