Round-up

Here we are tucked into the Miami County (OH) fairgrounds in Troy.  We are parked in this huge field where normal campers would park four to a post.  For some unknown reason these people parked sideways across the slots,

except for our neighbor.  I think that if the post wasn’t in the way I think he would have parked closer.  As it is he is about 1/2 inch from the post!

We are here for the Fortieth Quadstate (blacksmithing) Round-up sponsored by the Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil or SOFA.  The gathering was started forty years ago by Emmert Studebaker, a direct descendent of the Studebaker car family who started out making horse drawn wagons.

I took a break from sewing today to walk around looking at the stuff for sale.  I hand tools, power tools, parts for tools, everyday clothing, protective clothing, blacksmithing supplies (coal, iron), weapons, and art, and of course, food.

Power hammers were everywhere.

This was opening day of the event.  During the day people wandered around shopping.

Duane spent the better part of the day chatting with old friends.

In the evening there was music before the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony started with the presentation of the Colors and the singing of the National Anthem.

Next we were introduced to the  demonstrators who will be firing up their forges tomorrow.

The Ohio Arts Council presented an award to this young blacksmith who promoted his art in every way.  Not only is he a full-time blacksmith, but he also is an active member of SOFA and is a blacksmithing ambassador in his everyday life.  He was nominated by SOFA.  By the way, this award comes with a $5000 prize.

Next was the unveiling of the artwork  representing the beginning and continued growth of the Round-up.  Mike Bendele (r) made the reprousse design and Joe Bonifas framed it with a contemporary leaf at the top, the round piece under it, and the square at the bottom.   The round piece represents a wagon wheel and the bottom piece represents a log house.  The first round-ups were held on Emmert’s property, on which he had moved a number of log houses belonging to members of the Studebaker family, and in which the various events were held.

After the presentation there was a video of some of the first attendees of the round-ups (including the two above) reminiscing about those first few gatherings.  There  were an estimated 100 attendees (maybe).  Last year there were about 1200, while at the present one there are 1475.  The general opinion is that the reality show Forged In Fire bumped up attendance.  After the opening ceremony, I went home.  Duane stayed for the evening forging demo.

Come back tomorrow.  You will be amazed.

Louise and Duane