If you are interested in building your own atlatl and darts, you can sign up for Bob Berg’s atlatl workshop at the Chimney Point Historic Site in Addison, Vt. Friday, September 20 from noon to 5 p.m. The cost is $65. You can preregister by calling Chimney Point at 802-759-2412. The event is part of the historic site’s 18th Annual Northeast Open Atlatl Championship.

The main championship event is on Saturday, September 21, when everyone from novices to some of the best in America compete, and demonstrations and workshops about ancient crafts and skills on Saturday and Sunday.

The event is a highlight of September’s Vermont Archaeology Month. Come watch or participate in this unusual and interesting event on the shores of Lake Champlain. Admission includes the museum with the special exhibit on bridge archeological findings, new exhibits on the 1929 bridge, and shop with books and other items on the area’s Native American, French, and early American history. Saturday the admission fee is $4.00 for adults and free for children under 15. Sunday it is $3.00 for adults and free for children under 15.

The weekend at Chimney Point features:
Friday, September 20 Noon-5:00: atlatl workshop with Robert Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl, $65 fee includes materials and instruction, pre-registration required. Berg teaches all over the United States and Europe. Call 802-759-2412 to pre-register.
Saturday, September 21 9:30: Museum opens. 10:00-4:00: demonstrations of Woodland pottery making with Charlie Paquin, flint knapping with Barry Keagan, and atlatl, cordage making and more with Thunderbird Atlatl.
10:30 until: finished atlatl competition. $6.00 on site fee for competitors (pre-registration at $5.00 each is urged). Girls, boys, women, and men’s categories. All skills and abilities welcome. International Standards Accuracy Competition first, then shooting at painted animal targets to test accuracy, and lastly distance.
Sunday, September 22 10:00: small International Standards Accuracy Competition, followed by master coaching for those who want to learn or improve (approx. 11:00-Noon). 11:00-3:00: Intermediate workshop on primitive skills, including pottery and flint knapping, with Charlie Paquin, Barry Keagan, and Robert Berg. Workshop pre-registration appreciated. Observers welcome. 1:00: Walkabout tour of the Chimney Point site to learn about the archaeological findings for the Lake Champlain Bridge project. Wear sturdy shoes. All included in admission fee.

The Chimney Point State Historic Site presents the history of the region’s three earliest cultures—Native American, French Colonial, and early American. The site was used by Native Americans for thousands of years, was the location of the 1731 French fort, and the museum is in the c.1785 tavern building. It is located at 8149 VT Route 17W in Addison at the foot of the new Lake Champlain Bridge. The site is open 9:30 to 5:00, Wednesdays through Sundays, through Columbus Day, October 14. Call 802-759-2412 for information.

For more information about the Vermont State-Owned Historic Sites visit www.historicsites.vermont.gov. Join the Vermont State Historic Sites conversation on Facebook.

Thunderbird Atlatl will be at the Flint Ridge Knap-In in Brownsville, Ohio this weekend, Friday, August 30, Saturday, August 31 and Sunday, September 1. https://www.facebook.com/FlintRidgeKnappIn

On Friday morning at 9 am until noon, August 30th 2013, Bob Berg will be presenting an atlatl making workshop. Join Bob in his hands on workshop as he reveals many secretes of carving wood with Stone Age tools. Bob will start the process by knapping blades and hafting them to handles used to carve atlatls from green wood. A workshop area will be set up next to the Thunderbird Atlatl vendor tent. A limited number of blanks will be available to make your atlatl. You may also supply your own which should be a green hardwood branch about the length of your arm and an inch in diameter, plus or minus. A donation of a few dollars will cover the cost of materials used and honorariums are gladly accepted; the amount being up to you depending on what you feel you bring away from the project.

On Saturday morning at 9 am Bob will be presenting an atlatl dart making workshop. Bob will show you the various skills necessary to build and maintain atlatl darts. This will also be hands on for participants who would like to try their hand at making an atlatl dart. Both traditional and modern (kit) dart making will be demonstrated and taught. We always appreciate people who purchase our dart kits although a small donation to cover other material costs and honorariums are gladly accepted.

In the interest of safety people younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Those from 12 to 18 must have parental permission to make atlatls and also to use sharp tools. Participants understand that use of sharp tools can be dangerous and must assume all risk unto themselves and hold Bob Berg, Thunderbird Atlatl and associates harmless.

Thunderbird Atlatl will be at the annual Stonetool Technology Show this weekend, August 23 to 25. Stop by our booth. Thunderbird Atlatl’s Bob Berg will be offering ongoing wokshops throughout Saturday and into Sunday.

Purchase an atlatl kit or put together a stone knife at our booth using our materials and hafting glue.

The show takes place at the north end of Letchworth State Park on the Mt. Morris side. Here’s a link to the event: http://nysparks.com/events/event.aspx?e=79-6997.1.6

Thunderbird Atlatl joined atlatl enthusiasts in three atlatl battles this past week at the Pennsic War! The atlatl was also used on the thrown weapons range this year, giving more people a chance to try it out. Looking forward to the Stone Tool Show at Letchwork the end of August.

Top Photo: With the fort in the background, Laird Grimòlfr Ormàlfrson casts a dart in the final atlatl battle and (Bottom Photo:) warriors stand in a field of cast darts!