Fire on the Mountain returns to Lower Street
Sparks flew in downtown Spruce Pine on Saturday, April 30 during the annual Fire on the Mountain Blacksmithing Festival, which returned to the outdoors after going virtual in 2021 amid the pandemic.
Fire on the Mountain is an annual celebration of blacksmithing that includes vendor booths, forge face-offs for all ages, hands-on demonstrations, activities for kids, food and more.
It’s a partnership between Spruce Pine Main Street, Penland School of Craft and Toe River Arts.
We are thrilled to be back on the street and in person for the annual Blacksmith Festival,” said Libby Phillips, Spruce Pine Main Street executive director. “We had several new events lined up this year and extra demonstrations, including the ever-popular hands-on tent sponsored by Penland.”
Each festival starts with a month-long exhibit of blacksmith works capped with a reception the Friday night before the festival.
Each year also welcomes a new master blacksmith who gives multiple demonstrations during the festival. Other invited blacksmiths also gave live demos and vendor blacksmiths sold their wares.
Some vendors also sold tools. In the free hands-on tent, visitors signed up to try their hand at blacksmithing under the supervision of skilled volunteers. Several downtown merchants sold blacksmith-themed items during the festival.
The 2022 event kicked off just after 10 a.m. with a forging demonstration by featured artist blacksmith Jim Cooper. Adam Whitney, David Burnette and David Clemons followed with forging demonstrations.
Suzanne Pugh, Hiroko Yamada and Cooper presented close-up demonstrations throughout the day.
The day closed with an awards ceremony at 3:45 p.m.
“Thanks to Penland School of Craft and Toe River Arts,” Phillips said. “And to the many volunteers and everyone who help make this event a success.”