With September comes the annual Northeastern Open Atlatl Championship weekend at the Chimney Point State Historic Site in Addison, Vermont. The dates are September 21 to 23, 2018, part of Vermont’s Archaeology Month.
The atlatl is an ancient spear-throwing stick, used around the world before the development of the bow and arrow. The atlatl stick allows the hunter to throw a spear with greater accuracy and thrust than throwing a spear on its own like a javelin.
The event includes an atlatl-making workshop on Friday and basswood bark strip basket-making on Sunday, and demonstrations and the competition on Saturday. The Chimney Point field, on the shore of Lake Champlain, is set up for the accuracy and distance competitions. Contestants from all over New England and New York use an atlatl to test their prowess in accuracy and distance by throwing at a variety of targets. Event attendees can watch and cheer them on.
Saturday’s competition starts with registration at 10:00 a.m., followed by the International Standard Accuracy Competition, and then the accuracy and distance event. The contest ends with a “Grand Champion” shootout. Categories include youth girl and boy, women, and men. Contestants usually range from interested novices to some of the best in the country. Competitors pay $7.00 with pre-registration or $8.00 on the day. Call 802-759-2412 to pre-register.
Saturday demonstrations on the lawn compliment the new museum exhibits on the Native American and early European and American history of Chimney Point. Visitors can watch or try their hand at flint-knapping (making tools out of stone) with expert Barry Keegan; atlatl making and more with Thunderbird Atlatl, making Woodland pottery with Charlie Paquin, learning about birchbark canoes and how the Europeans adapted them from Mike Blakeslee, and flint and steel fire-making from the Revolutionary War period with Charlie Paquin. From 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. are special children’s activities.
On Friday from noon to 5:00 p.m. is an atlatl workshop with Robert Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl. The $70 fee includes materials, instruction, and coaching. Participants make an atlatl and three fletched darts, receive instructions on using them, and are welcome to compete the next day. Pre-registration is required.
On Sunday, from 10:00 to 4:30, Barry Keegan offers a new basket-making workshop—with basswood bark strips. The $60 fee includes materials. Dress for getting wet. Pre-registration is required. Bring your lunch.
Admission for Saturday’s event is included with the regular museum ticket of $5.00 for adults and free for children under 15. The Chimney Point State Historic Site presents the history of the region’s three earliest cultures—Native American, French Colonial, and early American. The site was used by Native Americans for thousands of years, was the location of the 1731 French fort, and the museum is in the c.1785 tavern building. It is located at 8149 VT Route 17W in Addison at the foot of the Lake Champlain Bridge. Phone number for pre-registration and information is 802-759-2412. The site is open 10:00 to 5:00, Wednesdays through Sundays, through October 14.
Call (802) 948-2000 for more information or visit www.HistoricSites.vermont.gov.
About the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
The Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s (ACCD) mission is to help Vermonters improve their quality of life and build strong communities. ACCD accomplishes this mission by providing grants, technical assistance, and advocacy through three divisions: The Department of Economic Development, the Department of Tourism and Marketing, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. For more information on ACCD please visit: accd.vermont.gov.
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