On Day 1, There were lines at the registration desk most of today as a majority of the expected 800 attendees arrived through the day. Demonstrators set out their equipment and tools. Many began forging and instructing soon after the opening ceremonies were over.
Highlighting the opening ceremonies were the presentations of the Alex Bealer Award, two were given, and the Joe Humble award. Daryl Nelson and Toby Hickman were honored by the ABANA membership for their years of contribution to blacksmithing. Each a Bealer Award recipient. Chris Holt was the Joe Humble Award winner.
A stunning table of beautifully crafted copper and silver vessels greats you in the Northwest corner of the grounds where the Abdon Punzo family is demonstrating their mastry of metal work.
At the exact opposite corner of the fairgrounds the furnace for making an iron bloom was in its first firing stages, being readied to make it's first smelt Thursday about mid-day.
Nearby Jill Turman has begun an art project which looks very much like a large wall decoration, though we didn't ask her about specifics. You can see for yourself if you visit her demo area between one and four Thursday.
And finally, Claudio Bottero and his large team have embarked on a huge piece which they will be forging all of the day Thursday.
Lots of exciting things are going on at the School of Mines, so make sure not to miss those events!
The schedule highlights for the next couple days are:
Thursday
10 AM - Student Success in Blacksmithing at SDSM&T (Classroom Building - Room 204)
1 PM - Tour Metallurgy Dept
2 PM - Cocktail Napking to CAD Workshop (Classroom Building - Room 326)
2 PM - Tour Metallurgy Dept
3 PM - Tour Metallurgy Dept
Friday
10 AM - Smithbusting - Science of Blacksmithing (Classroom Building - Room 204)
1 PM - Tour Metallurgy Dept
2 PM - Steelmaking for the non-metalllurgist (Classroom Building - Room 204)
2 PM - Tour Metallurgy Dept
3 PM - Tour Metallurgy Dept
Shuttles will be running back and forth from the college to the Fairgrounds continuously and will usually leave from the Fairgrounds around 15 minutes prior to each event.
