MABA logo and burning coal
Before you leave for the next demonstration, make it a habit to check the MABA Web Calendar Page for a potential change or cancellation.

Calendar

This page updated April 13th, 2024.

Safety first is expected at all MABA demonstrations. Safety glasses must be worn during demonstrations.

First and foremost this calendar is to keep members up to date on our activities. Guests and visitors are welcome at demonstrations! Anyone interested in learning more about blacksmithing is encouraged to attend. Please review these safety issues before attending an event.

A typical MABA Demonstration

The date and time for a demonstration is usually Saturday at noon. Many of the members work Saturday morning or need travel time so noon has worked out well for our group. Gathering at noon we share a pot-luck lunch and plenty of conversation. Please bring a dish to pass if you are able. This is a great time to get to know the other members, ask questions and share information. The event is typically held at a member's shop and the host is often the demonstrator for the afternoon. Members, guests and visitors attending will spend about 2 hours enjoying the demonstration

Four times a year the group has a business meeting. Three meetings are held at a demonstration and the fourth is our Annual elections/meeting/Auction/Pot-luck Christmas party in December. The calendar listing will note if the demonstration will also be a business meeting.

Also listed on the calendar

Other activities around Michigan will also be listed on the calendar. These include events where MABA blacksmiths have been invited to demonstrate and/or sell to the public. Please consider attending these activities as they are another wonderful way to gain and share information about blacksmithing.

The last activities included on the calendar are events hosted by ABANA or other ABANA affiliates.

Please contact an Officer for pertinent information about any activity.

Calendar 2024

January 2024

  • January 20: (Saturday) at noon. Demonstration and Pot Luck.
    • Hosted by Amy Weiks and Gabriel Craig, Smith Shop
      Highland Park MI 48203
      Gabriel will demonstrate open die forging and Amy will demonstrate scrolling techniques.
      Iron-in-the-Hat: Something with a scroll.

February 2024

  • February 17: (Saturday) at noon. Demonstration and Pot Luck.
    • Hosted by Bob Becker
      White Horse Forge
      Oxford MI 48370
      Bob will demonstrate his horse head and tooling.
      Iron-in-the-Hat: Coat Hook

March 2024

  • March 9: (Saturday) at noon. Demonstration and Pot Luck.
    • Hosted by Rod and Pat Lange
      Steelhead Forge
      Romulus MI 48174
      Jennifer Horn will demonstrate a cowboy hat done under the fly press.
      Iron-in-the-Hat: Anything pertaining to March Holidays- St. Patrick’s Day or Easter.

April 2024

  • April 20: (Saturday) at noon. Business meeting, Demonstration and Pot Luck.
    • Hosted by Sheila and Stu Smith
      Bridgeport MI 48722
      Stu will demonstrate dragon hooks (seen in the Christmas Auction) and if time allows, a forge welding scarf.
      Iron-in-the-Hat: Something cute and easy.

May 2024

  • May 3 - 5: (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) You are invited to Attend - Registration Required.
  • May 17 - 19: (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) - Business meeting and Hammer-In.

      • MEMBERS - Mark Your Calendar!-MAY HAMMER-IN

      • Members Only -Not Open to the Public-
        MABA Business meeting will be held on Saturday at 5PM.
        Some other activities to look forwared to include:
        Teaching Stations, Smithing Competition, a Great Demonstrator, and more!! Make plans to attend to see all the activities.
        See you there!! Your March-April Upsetter has all the information for the weekend.
        Fowlerville Family Fairground
      • Fowlerville, Michigan

June 2024

  • June 6-9: (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) ABANA 50th Anniversary.
    • Please come celebrate with ABANA!
      Celebration and Conference.
      Johnstown, PA 15901
      Registration is now open and more detail can be found at the ABANA website. ABANA 50th Anniversary.
  • June 22-23: (Saturday, Sunday) 10am - 5pm: Public Event/Demonstration Opportunity.
    • Blacksmiths, Soldiers and Log Cabin Weekend
      Waterloo Farm Museum
      Waterloo, Mi
      For more info see the FYI page.

July 2024

  • July 20-21: (Saturday, Sunday) You're Invited to Demonstrate.
    • Wood Shaving Days. Public welcome.
      Hartwick Pines State Park, Grayling, MI
      To obtain your membership forms, demonstration forms and camping information email friendsofhartwickpines@gmail.com
  • July 25-28: (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) You're Invited to Attend.
    • Walloon Flywheeler's Old Engine Show
      You are invited to visit the engine show. It’s a great place to see smiths demonstrating.
      Northern Michigan Antique-Flywheelers Club
      145 U.S. 131 N. Boyne Falls, MI 49713
      For information Contact MABA member, Steve Anderson 231.547.1458

August 2024

  • August 24-25: (Saturday, Sunday) You're Invited to Demonstrate.
    • Black Iron Days. Public welcome.
      Hartwick Pines State Park, Grayling, MI
      The Friends of Hartwick Pines invite MABA members to join their group and demonstrate at Hartwick Pines for Black Iron Days!
      To obtain your membership forms, demonstration forms and camping information email friendsofhartwickpines@gmail.com
  • August 30 - Sept 1: (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) Labor Day Weekend. You're Invited to Demonstrate.
    • UP Steam & Gas Engine Show
      State Fairgrounds, Escanaba, MI
      Blacksmiths welcome to demonstarte! Coal is provided!
      Contact: George Potvin 906.466.2276 for details.

September 2024

  • September 21: (Saturday) 10am - 5pm You're Invited to Demonstrate.
    • Let's Gather Fall Vendor Market
      Bob and Sandy Mottice are hosting the vendor market and looking for a blacksmith to demonstrate.
      For more info see the FYI page

Safety First!

Whereas the craft of blacksmithing is a potentially dangerous activity, any guest/visitor attending an activity hosted by the Michigan Artist Blacksmith Association will be required to sign the Liability Release form and wear safety glasses while in the demonstration area or during a demonstration or anytime ANY metal work is being preformed at the demonstration area.

Please turn in your signed release form to any MABA officer at the MABA event.

Guests and visitors to an event must understand the unique safety issues involved with hot iron. Sparks Fly! Tools Break!

  • Wear safety glasses.
  • Wear natural fiber clothes like cotton. Synthetics are more flammable and they melt, potentially contributing to serious burns.
  • Wear closed toe shoes, leather if possible, high top leather is best.
  • Assume all iron; stock, tools, vises etc. are HOT.
  • Resist the urge to grab for falling objects. They can be very HOT.
  • Wear Ear Protection!