The week started off with some bad predictions from the Weather Service. Hurricane Delta was menacing the Gulf and with surprising accuracy the path was predicted. As the storm pummeled Louisiana and Mississippi, huge bands of heavy rain swept across north Georgia. The night before, we had a social and the rain poured! I woke up Saturday morning at 6:30 to a downpour.
But then… It started to let up. I looked at the hourly predictions and couldn’t believe my eyes.
As we prepared for the busy day ahead, the rain just got lighter and lighter.
In an unbelievable stroke of good fortune, not a drop of rain fell from 9:30 to almost 4:00!
Can you believe that!!!
Attendance was up DRAMATICALLY, and this happened DESPITE the dire weather forecast!
Here are some stats for you:
- Vendor attendance/participation was UP by 15% despite several companies not being allowed to attend due to Covid policies.
- We handed out roughly 1300 raffle tickets. Participants were limited to one per person and not everyone got a ticket. We don’t have an exact figure on attendance, but the event grew SUBSTANTIALLY!
- We hosted and social the night before for makers, vendors, affiliates and neighbors. The awesome folks from NoFo brewery joined us and brought some AMAZING beer for everyone. THANK YOU! Please patronize this business as these are wonderful people with a great business ethic and a fantastic product.
- A new tradition started whereby we award “Custom Knifemaker of the Year” and “Vendor of the Year“. Congratulations to Damon and Jill Lusky of ALFA-KNIFE for being our Custom Maker of the year. It’s an honor to represent your work! *The “Vendor of the Year” could not attend and will be announced at a later date.
- We brought in the Veal’s and Side Burners BBQ. They SOLD OUT of food. It was amazing. SUPERB JOB guys!
- AXE and KNIFE THROWING – Our team, BIG’S AXE was on-hand running a leaderboard contest for “Best of 10 Throws”. We awarded the winner with a customized Hults Bruks Agdor Axe that had been thrown in-tournament by James Waldrop on our professional Axe Team BIG’S AXE. The throwing stations were just EPIC! And if you are ever in the Dalton area and want to throw axes, check out the Big’s Axe venue! To our team members Stacy, Brady, Ray, Roger, Evan and James; you guys are awesome!
- The days sales in store were UP by 38% from the previous year!
- This was the largest sales day in company history!
Some Photos!
Brian Hudson, Will Dutton, and Tim Rowland – All of whom had booths the next day with Brian and Will forging!
Damon Lusky Receiving our Award for Custom Maker of the Year
So we prepared in the rain. But about 9.30, John picked up a sword and trench knife on Mark Hopper’s table and told the skies to part!
And that’s all it took!!
And this was inside by 10:00 that morning!
There is Dogwood Dan explaining particle metallurgy. He manages to always keep his audience riveted!
There is Casey with Georgia Bushcraft. Bushcraft coffee was a huge hit. And make sure to attend the Georgia Bushcraft event November 6-8, 2020! Click Here for details!
Give-A-Ways took place every 30 minutes, with AWESOME Southern Grind Range Bags with loads of Zac Brown Swag. Also included were items from Boker, Benchmade, Shun, Nic Nichols, Todd Hunt, Due South Knives, Dragonfly Bladeworks, and many more!
The guys from Goat and Hammer Forge. Check out their class schedule HERE
That’s the world famous Paul Brach and his apprentice. Paul is the maker of the Nombe Nula on the wall inside!
The Axe and Knife Throwing was a HUGE hit!
Here is the team! Big’s Axe – Georgia’s own professional Axe Throwing Team! Sponsored by Olde Towne Cutlery. That’s Roger, second from the right. He has already “clinched” a spot in the World Axe Throwing Championship which will be held in Atlanta on December 4-6.
Check out the Big’s Axe Throwing Venue in Dalton, Georgia!
Jesse Crane forging a knife!
Lily on the anvil! She can swing a hammer!!!
The guys in kilts (Mark Hopper and Dogwood Dan) have a special handshake they have to cover apparently.
John was trying to figure it out.
That’s Brian Hudson with a particularly odd method for holding his work.
He says that when doing this method, you only make an overstrike mistake ONCE!
Dave Smith of Diamond S Knives means business!
Kyle Kraftman had items on display too!
ALFA KNIFE case with Award – engraved by Kraftman Kreations.
The crowds were INCREDIBLE. Thank you for your support!!!
And the FOOD by Side Burners BBQ was spectacular. We already booked them for next year!
And here was the winner of the Axe Throwing contest! He won a customized Hults Bruks Axe!
Thank you to the makers, vendors, friends, and all the attendees; thanks again for everything. It was an epic event for sure and YOUR participation made the difference!