16th Annual North Georgia Flintknappers & Primitive Arts Festival
Date and Time
Friday Apr 24, 2015 Saturday Apr 25, 2015
24-25 April 2015 7:00 AM until evening
Location
Gatewood Park, Cartersville, Ga
Fees/Admission
Admission, parking and all activities are free to the public.
Contact Information
Dave Swetmon 770-304-8760 deltaworm@charter.net/Michael Swetmon 770-253-5164 knappermike@gmail.com/Michael Blackston 706-283-7143 captmike03@hotmail.com
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Description
The information below is the event release for this year's show and needs the widest dissemination possible. As usual, this event is free and open to the public. For additional information or clarification, please contact any of the event coordinators listed at the end of this release.
The 16th Annual North Georgia Flint Knappers and Primitive Arts Festival will be held April 24 & 25 2015 at Gatewood Park, Cartersville, Georgia. Thursday April 23 will be early vendors set up & April 26 will be vendor break down day. Both days will be open to the public, but there will be a limited number of vendors available for sales.
The event gets underway at 8:00 AM each day and will continue into the evening. The show is open to the public and admission and parking are free. Concessions & clean restrooms are available.
Directions to the event From I-75 take exit 290 and go east on GA HWY 20 to the 1st traffic light (at Wendy's). Turn right on Spur 20 and proceed south approximately 3 miles. Turn left on Bartow Beach Road and go to the dead end. There will be signs marking the way. The address for the event, for those of you using GPS is 244 Bartow Beach, Cartersville, GA 30120
Attractions
There will be plenty of handmade crafts, primitive tools, primitive weapons and works of art. Demonstrations will start at 9:00 AM on Saturday and will include arrowhead, spear point and stone knife making, Atlatl demonstration, arrow and bow making, fire building, hide tanning, basketry, cordage, primitive snares and traps, a nature walk identifying useful and edible plants, soapstone working, pottery and much more. The public will be invited to participate where applicable. All demonstrations are free.
Special Attractions
We are proud to announce that this year Michael will be available Saturday April 25th for artifact identification. Michael Miller is an archaeologist who specializes in stone tool identification and manufacture. He has excavated sites all over the USA and currently resides in Columbia SC working for the Diachronic Research Foundation. His interest in stone tools goes back to childhood when he found his first arrowhead. Michael started flintknapping at age 12 and today is a leading expert among archaeologists who practice the ancient art. He has appeared on several television shows and teaches flintknapping courses throughout the year. In 2001, he started www.FlintKnappers.com now the largest commercial flintknapping website geared toward lithic art and replication.
***Special Note: No artifacts will be for sale at this event! The public is invited to bring your personal artifacts for Michael Miller to examine, but sales are strictly forbidden. Our Annual Public Auction There will be a public auction held at 12:00 AM on April 25 and will feature unique, handmade items donated by the vendors. Door prizes will also be awarded.
Food Vendors
A group affiliated with local scouting will be providing the food for your dining pleasure. Local restaurants are a short drive from the event site.
Camping and Lodgings
For those wishing to participate as vendors, a modern campground with full hookups is located next to the show site. Cost for camper sites is $24.00 with senior discounts available. Primitive camping (tents) is permitted at $11 per night. Additionally there are conveniently located motels nearby. Motel 8 has agreed to give those attending the event a discounted rate. Call them at 770-382-8881 and ask for the special rate.
Contact the event coordinator for a complete list of motels and restaurants. Vendors may camp at their vending site for $10 per night, but no campfires are permitted.
Vendor Information
Vendor fee is $20.00 per 15 foot space if PAID IN ADVANCE of the show. Fee will be $25.00 if paid when you show up. No electricity will be available. Vendors must supply their own tents, tables and supplies. Don't miss the largest primitive arts festival in Georgia!
For further information contact Event Coordinator Dave Swetmon at 770-304-8760 (678-480-1932 after 23 April) or email deltaworm@charter.net, Michael Swetmon at 770-253-5164 (678-972-9966 after 23 April) email knappermike@gmail.com or Michael Blackston at 706-283-7143 (706-371-0778 after 23 April), email captmike03@hotmail.com.
Event website: http://northgeorgiaknapin.yolasite.com/
