✦ April 24–25, 2026 · Washington, Arkansas

Festival Schedule

✦ Both Days

All Day Activities

Knife Show· WPA Gym

Antique Bowie Knife Exhibition· WPA Gym

Craft Vendors· 1874 Courthouse Courtyard

Food Vendors· Morrison Street

Daisy BB Gun Range· Morrison Street

Free Wooden Bowie Knives

Early Arkansas Re-enactors & Encampment· Conway St at Blacksmith Shop

Texas Cowboy JW Wiseman· Methodist Church

Welding Schools Simulators· JBS School

Lower Arkansas Ham Operators Group· Law Office

Edwards Weapons Museum· Ticket Required from Park

AGFC Archery Station· Royston Log Cabin / Magnolia Tree

Blacksmithing Demonstrations· Blacksmith Shop

✦ Day 1

Friday, April 24, 2026

9:00 AM

Knife Maker Awards & Forging Challenge Candidates Announced

📍 WPA Gym

10:00–10:30 AM

"Birth of the Bowie Knife" Re-enactment

📍 Blacksmith Shop

11:00–11:30 AM

Talk, Demonstrations & Autographs — JW Wiseman

Texas Cowboy and Bladed Weapons Thrower.

📍 Methodist Church

11:30 AM–12:00 PM

Talk & Presentations — Bill Worthen & Mark Zalesky

Bill Worthen is the Former Director of Historic Arkansas Museum and a recognized James Black authority.

📍 Farmer's Market Pavilion

1:00–1:30 PM

"Birth of the Bowie Knife" Re-enactment

📍 Blacksmith Shop

2:00–5:00 PM

Welding Schools & Knife Makers Forging Challenge

Observe knife makers collaborate with welding students from UA Hope-Texarkana and UA Cossatot to complete their forging challenge.

📍 JBS School

✦ Day 2

Saturday, April 25, 2026

9:00 AM

Grand Opening Ceremony

📍 Front Courtyard of 1874 Courthouse

10:00–10:30 AM

"Birth of the Bowie Knife" Re-enactment

📍 Blacksmith Shop

10:15–11:00 AM

Leather Sheath Talk & Demonstrations — Wildt Leathers

📍 Farmer's Market Pavilion

11:00 AM–12:15 PM

Talks, Living Treasures Recognition & Forging Challenge Draw

Talk & Presentations by Bill Worthen & Mark Zalesky · Recognition of Arkansas Living Treasures · Announcement of Public Forging Challenge Contestants. Put your name in the hopper beforehand — be present at 11:30 AM to hear if you're drawn!

📍 Farmer's Market Pavilion

12:30–2:30 PM

Public Forging Challenge

Selected contestants take to the forge at the James Black School.

📍 JBS School

12:30–2:30 PM

Talk & Demonstration — JW Wiseman

📍 JBS School

2:30–5:00 PM

James Black Arkansas State Cutting Competition Championship

📍 JBS School

✦ Questions?

Reach out to our team for schedule questions or additional information.