The weather was “Fall Perfect” this past weekend at the Candor Fall Festival. A number of visitors had an opportunity to try the atlatl at our location at Sidehill Acres Goat Farm.
In the local contest, Marlin Bassett, 8, was our grand champion! Congratulations Marlin. Marlin’s Dad, Doug, came in at second place and Danny Brophy placed third. Congratulations everyone and thanks for participating.

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Hundreds of participants got a chance to try the atlatl at the Hammonasset Beach State Park competition in Connecticut last weekend. The more daring participants were able to take on a woolly mammoth. In another location on the range, those with a little more atlatl experience were able to participate in local contests and the International Standard Accuracy Contest. Doug Bassett of New York won the event’s Grand Champion award.
Rain stayed away throughout the weekend but water still presented a little challenge when the tide came in surrounding a target or two. The hardy group of atlatlists handled the challenge by finishing their rounds and moving the targets to drier locations. With tape measures out, it took moments to reconfigure the range. Thanks to Gary and Linda Nolf and the Friends of Hammonasset for organizing this enjoyable event!
This weekend we will be at the Candor Fall Festival at SideHill Acres Goat Farm in Candor, NY, just down the road from our shop. Check out the events schedule
Below are photos from the Connecticut event:

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Thunderbird Atlatl will be in Connecticut this weekend at the New England Atlatl Day program Oct. 1 & 2 at the Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, Ct.
The event takes place at the Native American Festival sponsored by the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History and the Connecticut Archaeology Center. The atlatl portion of event will feature ISACs and a Woolly Mammoth Hunt. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. For further information contact: Gary Nolf 860-575-4263 gnolf@comcast.net The park is in a beautiful location and definitely worth a visit.
Below are photos from past Connecticut events:

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The weather stayed perfect at the annual Chimney Point Atlatl Contest (held at Mount Independence in Orwell for a second year due to bridge construction). The change in venue, coupled with flooding throughout Vermont and elsewhere led to less attendance than in previous years but we are all looking forward to 2012 when the contest should be back at Chimney Point! The new bridge is looking great!
Our next venue will be in Connecticut the weekend of September 30 to October 1 at the Friends of Hammonasset Festival See you there!
Following are some more photos of Vermont winners! (more to come after we figure out some technical problems!)

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It’s not too late to sign up for Friday’s atlatl making workshop at the Mount Independence State Historic Site in Orwell, Vt.
Robert Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl will present his atlatl-making workshop from noon to 5:00 p.m. The session includes making your own atlatl, making and fletching three field darts, and coaching on the use of your new equipment. Bob also will demonstrate modern construction techniques, flint-knapping, hafting stone points, and cordage making from natural materials.
This is Bob’s 16th year presenting his workshop in Vermont. Bob was featured in Vermont Public Television’s program, Outdoor Journal, in March 2008.
The workshop has been moved to Mount Independence from its traditional location at the Chimney Point State Historic Site, due the adjacent Lake Champlain Bridge construction project, which will be completed next spring.
A $65 fee covers all materials, instruction, and admission to the museum at Mount Independence. Pre-registration is required. To request a form or ask questions, please call 802-759-2412. Or, the registration form is available online at: www.historicvermont.org/chimneypoint/atlatl

The workshop is the first day of the three day 16th Annual Northeast Open Atlatl Championship—September 16 to 18, a highlight of Vermont Archeology Month special events. After making your atlatl, compete on Saturday or Sunday.

Mount Independence is open daily, 9:30 to 5:00, through October 10. It is located at 497 Mount Independence Road, six miles west of the intersection of Vermont Routes 73 and 22A.

For more information about the Vermont State-Owned Historic Sites, visit: www.HistoricVermont.org/sites. Be part of the conversation and join the Vermont State Historic Sites on Facebook.

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