Thunderbird Atlatl has left the northeast for the warmer weather for two upcoming shows. We will be at the Silver River Knap In and Stone Age Arts Festival Saturday, February 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, February 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Silver Springs State Park is located at 1425 NE 58 Avenue, Ocala, Florida. Festival admission is $5 per person. Expert flint knappers, archaeologists, potters, hide tanners, bow makers and other specialists in prehistoric skills will gather from across the eastern U.S. to demonstrate and sell their arts. There will be atlatl demonstrations and ISAC competitions for those interested in trying an atlatl competition. Visitors try the atlatl at Silver River State Park. Come to Silver River and try the atlatl this weekend. We look forward to seeing you!
We move north the following weekend to the 12th annual Stone Age & Primitive Arts Festival at Ochlockonee River State Park,429 State Park Road, Sopchoppy, Florida 32358. Admission is $4 per vheicle. Contact the park at (850) 962-2771. The program is Friday, February 22nd to Sunday, 24th 201 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be atlatl demonstrations and contests including ISACs all weekend.
We have just put up a new atlatl fishing video from this year’s trip to Florida. Bob takes his atlatl and harpoon out to the piers near Dunedin Causeway in Tampa Bay to fish for Sheepshead – a type of shellcracker fish that eats the barnacles that grow on the piers. Bob uses his new “Canoe-Maran” boat made with Expand-A-Craft pontoons that we purchased on this trip.
Thanks to our talented son, Peter Berg, for the amazing video work, and friends, James Mead and Charles Bracken, for all their help on the fishing expeditions.
We are looking forward to spring weather. It has been a long winter in New York even with a break for the Florida shows. It is a great time to start planning your atlatl adventures for the next few months. The best way is to check out the atlatl events on the World Atlatl Association page. You and anyone in your household can join the World Atlatl Association for $15 annually. It is easy to join by going to this link. We hope to see you at an atlatl event.
Thunderbird Atlatl will be escaping the Northeast cold for a couple of weeks and will be attending two knapins in Florida.
We will be at the Silver River Knap-In Saturday, Feb. 17 & Sunday, Feb. 18 at Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs, Florida. There will be International Standard Accuracy Competitions on Friday, Feb. 16, at 4 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 17, at 4 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. For further information contact Silver Rivers Museum at Silver Springs State Park at (352) 236-5401. The museum is located at 1445 NE 58th Avenue · Ocala, Florida 34470. It is located within the Silver River State Park. The park is situated off Baseline Road (CR 35) and one mile south of SR 40.
1445 NE 58th Avenue · Ocala, Florida 34470
www.silverrivermuseum.com
Ochlockonee River State Park is located four miles southwest of Sopchoppy off of US Highway 319, 429 State Park Road, Sopchoppy, Florida 32358. For further information contact Kristin Ebersol, park manager, at 850-962-2771 or email: Kristin.Ebersol@dep.state.fl.us
This weekend we are at the 7th Annual Silver River Knap-In and Primitive Technology Show in Florida. The show runs all day on Saturday and Sunday (the 18th and 19th) at Silver Springs State Park. We’ll be hosting ISACs every day, and selling atlatls all weekend. Come see us if you are in the area!
It’s cold in upstate New York but you can warm up at the indoor Spencer-VE Sportsman Club Day in Spencer, NY on Saturday, February 7, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thunderbird Atlatl will be one of the many exhibitors. The school is providing an indoor range if you want to try the atlatl indoors away from the minus degree weather outside. Bob Berg will also be offering informational sessions on flintknapping and building atlatls and darts next to our exhibit. We will be working next to the Primitive Pursuits program from Tompkins County Cornell Extension.
Bob Berg fletches a dart at a workshop. Our workshops have proven very popular. We will be offering free workshops tomorrow, Feb. 7, in Spencer, NY with Primitive Pursuits. We also plan several workshops in Florida. See the information below. If you would like to inquire about a workshop, give us a call or contact us by email.
Looking to get away from the winter weather, Thunderbird Atlatl will be at two Florida events in February. Bob Berg will be offering workshops at both events. You can sign up for the workshops by contacting us at our 800 number – 800-836-4520 or email us at contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com Information about the events and workshops are below:
The annual SILVER RIVER KNAP-IN AND STONE AGE ARTS FESTIVAL will be held at the Silver Springs State Park on February 20th, 21st, and 22nd (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Expert flint knappers, archaeologists, potters, hide tanners, bow makers and other specialists in prehistoric skills will gather from across the eastern U.S. to demonstrate and sell their arts. Vendors will offer reproduction stone tools, raw stone, flint knapping tools, unique crafts, food and more.
There will be archery, tomahawk and atlatl dart throwing demonstrations each day. A flint knapping competition and on-going prehistoric skills demonstrations will also take place. Besides the knap-in, visitors can explore the Silver River Museum, hike or bike the trails of the state park, take a tram ride through the woods, or canoe and kayak on the pristine Silver River. Please note: Friday is a student day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program is open on Saturday and Sunday to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
International Standard Accuracy Competitions will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the atlatl range. All are welcome.
Thunderbird Atlatl will hold two workshops on Thursday, February 19, at the museum. Information is below:
Event Title: Atlatl (Spear Throwing) Morning Workshop.
Event Date: Thursday, February 19, 2015
Presented by: Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatls
Details: Atlatl Workshops at the Silver River Museum Morning Workshop: Make a modern atlatl and three darts from Thunderbird Atlatl kits with Atlatl Expert Bob Berg from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, February 19, at the Silver River Museum in Ocala, Florida. The goal of this workshop is for each participant to finish an atlatl and 3 darts. Participants will learn how to straighten and fletch darts. This is a great way to get into the sport. Students may choose from four different Thunderbird Atlatl Kit styles. Other benefits of taking Bob’s workshop are the background information he passes along, as well as teaching you how to use atlatls. It is a great way to have all your questions about the atlatl answered. The workshop fee is $65 per participant and is limited to 10 participants. For further information and to register contact: Thunderbird Atlatl at 800-836-4520 or contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com.
Event Title: Atlatl (Spear Throwing) Afternoon Workshop
Event Date: Thursday, February 19, 2015
Presented by: Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatls
Details: Atlatl Workshops at the Silver River Museum Afternoon Workshop: Make a primitive atlatl and three stone pointed darts from natural materials. Atlatl expert Bob Berg will lead participants in making their own atlatls and darts from a variety of locally available materials. Bob will bring bamboo dart blanks. The goal of this workshop is for participants to take home a traditional or primitive atlatl and three stone pointed darts. They will learn how to use stone tools in making the atlatls and darts, natural fiber cordage, fletching, the use of hafting resins and more. Materials will be provided. The workshop will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Silver River Museum in Ocala, Florida. The workshop fee is $65 per participant. (Take both workshops for $110). The workshop is limited to 10 participants. For further information and to register contact: Thunderbird Atlatl at 800-836-4520 or contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com.
Can’t make it to the Silver River program or just want to continue enjoying the atlatl/flintknapping experience, then come to the The Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival at Ochlockonee River State Park, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 27, 28 and March 1, 2015 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
This is the 8th Annual Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival. Come and enjoy bow, atlatl and flintknapping competitions, demonstrations and how-to workshops. New at this year’s festival is a dugout canoe display and hands-on demonstration. There will be a lot to do, see and participate in at this year’s festival. Free with regular park admission.More Information:Park Services Specialist Jason Vickery, 850-962-2771, jason.vickery@dep.state.fl.us Located in the Northwest region at: Ochlockonee River State Park, 429 State Park Road, Sopchoppy, FL 32358
Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl will be offering workshops on Thursday, Feb. 25, prior to the event.
