August 3, 2004

Mackinac Island, Mich. - It will be a hot time on Mackinac Island on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 7-8, as Mackinac State Historic Parks hosts the 20^th annual Benjamin Blacksmith Convention. Over 25 blacksmiths from across Michigan converge on the motor-vehicle-free island to pound out their craft with forge and anvil.

From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., spectators will observe and talk to the blacksmiths at the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop on Market Street. The blacksmiths work on fence and railing projects and demonstrate how historical artifacts were originally made.

This year the blacksmiths will forge part of a unique golf club, to be awarded as a prize during a chipping competition on Aug. 20 at a golf history event at Fort Mackinac.

Regular Fort Mackinac admission includes admission to the blacksmith convention and the historic downtown buildings, including the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, Biddle House, Beaumont Museum, McGulpin House and Mission Church. Interpreters dressed in period clothing describe and demonstrate 19^th-century life in the fort and in many of the historic downtown buildings. Admission to Fort Mackinac is $9 for adults, $5.75 for youths 6-17, and free for children five and under. Combination tickets and family memberships are available.

Mackinac State Historic Parks is a family of living history museums and parks in Northern Michigan's Straits of Mackinac region, and is an agency of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. The sites include Fort Mackinac, Historic Downtown and Mackinac Island State Park on Mackinac Island, as well as Colonial Michilimackinac, Historic Mill Creek and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City. The sites are accredited by the American Association of Museums. Visitor information is available on the Web at www.mackinacparks.com and by phone at (906) 847-3328 or (231) 436-4100.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.