Meet Bladesmithing Legends: James Black Bowie Festival in Arkansas

Prepare for the 4th Annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival on April 25-26, 2025, in Historic Washington State Park, Arkansas. The festival will celebrate James Black, the bladesmith who forged the first Bowie Knife for Jim Bowie in Washington, and showcase a variety of Arkansas heritage crafts and trades.

Meet Forged in Fire TV Celebrities

The City of Washington, Arkansas, in partnership with the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Foundation, is proud to invite some well-known Forged in Fire celebrities to this spectacular event.

See and meet Doug Marcaida, J. Neilson, and Ricardo Vilar from the popular television series on the History Channel.

Actor Anthony De Longis is a whip and sword master and was instrumental in helping train Catwoman in "Batman" His other work includes “Indiana Jones”, and “Roadhouse.” Anthony is one of Hollywood's most sought-after master collaborators when it comes to creating some of the most iconic fighting scenes on the big screen.

Several world-class bladesmiths are expected to showcase their knives and share a story about each knife in their collection. JW Wiseman a weapons demonstrator will be on hand with an unbelievable mastery demonstration of his weapons.

Exhibits and Forging Demonstrations

Knifemakers from Arkansas will be showcasing and selling their work, while others will be teaching techniques of their trades. Other folk artisans will contribute to the festival by displaying and selling heritage crafts. The festival will feature exhibits, on-the-spot forging challenges, a knife show, and the James Black Arkansas State Cutting Competition Championship.

Learn About The James Bowie Knife

Visitors will be treated to a live narration with re-enactors telling the story of Jim Bowie’s travel to Washington to commission James Black to create a knife to meet his specifications.  Spectators can learn how to forge a blade at the James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades at the Blacksmith Shop, where the legend of the Bowie Knife lives on. The festival will also display authentic James Black crafted knives and other antique Bowie knives hosted by Mark Zalesky. Visitors can bring their own knives to be evaluated by one of the best knife historians in the country.

Food and Fun

Guests will experience a variety of festivities including food vendors, heritage folk arts and crafts, including bowmaking, and knapping, or enjoy a surrey ride around the historic buildings and community that feels like a trip back in time.

Don't miss the 4th Annual James Black’s Bowie Heritage Festival on April 25-26, 2025, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Free Admission - Parking $5

For more information, call 870-648-5084 or visit bowieknifefest.com or their Facebook page.

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