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 28th, 2025.

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 2025

January

  • January 11: (Saturday) at noon. Demonstration and Pot Luck.
    • Hosted by John Logan
      Artfire Michigan
      Leslie MI 49251
      John will demonstrate snowflakes.
      Iron-in-the-Hat: Snowflakes.

February

  • February 22: (Saturday) at noon. Demonstration and Pot Luck.
    • Hosted by Larry Carrigan
      Shady Maple Forge
      Rives Junction MI 49277
      Larry will demonstrate a Christmas candle holder.
      Iron-in-the-Hat: Candle holder.

March

  • March 22: (Saturday) at noon. Demonstration and Pot Luck.
    • Hosted by Rod and Pat Lange
      Steelhead Forge
      Romulus MI 48174
      Atticus Keesling will demonstrate a kitchen knife from a farrier's rasp under the power hammer.
      Iron-in-the-Hat: Kitchen or BBQ Tools

April

  • April 26: (Saturday) - Demonstration.
    • Hosted at Historical Blacksmith Shop
      Manchester, Michigan 48158
      Iron-in-the-Hat: Spring Flowers
      Blacksmith Shop

May

  • May 16 - 18: (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 and Hammer-In
        Fowlerville Family Fairground
      • Fowlerville, Michigan

June

  • June 28-29: (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

  • July 24-27: (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

December

  • December 6: (Saturday) at noon. MABA Business Meeting
    • MABA Business Meeting
      MABA business meeting.
      1st United Methodist Church
      275 W. Michigan Ave
      Jackson, MI 49201

      • 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!