Puget Sound Knappers

2015 Fort Knapadonia Knap-in Announcement

August 17th - 23rd, 2015

Hosts Joe and Sunny Higgins and the Knapadonia Gang

NOTE (added 5/28/15): Construction will take place between June and September 2015. The work will require up to five consecutive overnight full closures of the Deception Pass and Canoe Pass bridges. The bridge closures will be from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. sometime between mid-July and the end of August. Closures dates will be posted here when they are announced.

NOTE 2 (added 6/24/15): Artist/Basket Maker Extraordinaire Mary Alice Sterling will be offering a basket making class - details below!

Joe and Sunny Higgins will host the annual Fort Knapadonia Knap-In in August. He promises to have a full schedule of events – archery target shoots, 2-inch Goat, 10-speed, etc, etc, and don’t forget – making arrowheads and blades. There will be water available, electricity, Port-a-Potties, and lots of room for camping and RVing. Women and families are welcomed and encouraged to attend! Close by Oak Harbor offers plenty of garage sales and stores for shopping.

In addition to the usual great knappers knapping, plentiful rock and great weather, Whidbey Island is also a great place for families interested in sightseeing and other tourist activities.

Knapadonia plans, as usual, to have many non-knapping activities including:

    1. PVC Pipe Bow making class(es) – Nick Tomihama*, **
    2. Forging and bladesmithing – Blain Kuykendall
    3. Atlatl, Boomerang making – Barry Bonnell*, **
    4. Leather Pouches – Valli Eichstedt and Jim Smith
    5. Wire Wrapping – Chip Batchellor
    6. Didgeridoo Making – Richard Urata and Stu Murdock
    7. Friction Fire Starting – Bill Rudolph
    * If you wish to take one of these classes please let Jim Keffer know - (425) 503-4413 or .

** Any project not completed can be worked on at the Sammamish Knap-in the following weekend.

In addition there will be Archery shoots, Atlatls shoots, Tomahawk throwing, arrow making, wire wrapping, and just added a basking making class! Joe plans to add a few more ‘classes’ to share the artistry of PSK members so come prepared to learn and enjoy!

Mary Alice Sterling will be teaching two separate one-day classes making this large letter basket at the Fort Knapadonia Knap-in August 2015. This class is only open to women over the age of 21, in two groups of six students. There is a $25 dollar fee (for materials only). Students should show up in comfortable clothing, Mary Alice will provide all materials and tools needed. The first class will be on Wednesday, August 19th, starting promptly at 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM, six students only. The second class will be on Saturday, August 22nd, starting promptly at 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM, six students only. Sign up by emailing Mary Alice at , and telling her which day you would like to attend. We will make a solid bottomed simple weave basket with attractive leather handles and wooden feet. Great to hold project, magazines, books or remotes by your favorite chair. Makes a superb visual element in decorative displays. Small class size allows ample one on one instruction as needed, with strong emphasis on everyone leaving the class with a finished basket and a happy weaving experience.

And for those that don't already know it there will be salmon fishing from the beach! Yep - 2015, being an 'odd' year, will see a return of Pink Salmon, also known as 'Humpys', to the Skagit River Drainage. This run passes right along the beach which is only about 200 yards from the camping area at Knapadonia. In each of the last three 'odd' years, 2009, 2011 and 2013, the run has been excellent and getting larger each year! We fully expect the 2015 to reach or exceed the 2013 record of returning fish. The limit is four (4) fish per day and daily limit are not unheard of!

Knappers and guests at the knap-in who don't hold a resident fishing license can purchase a temporary one:

Temporary License Resident 16+ Non-Resident Non-Resident 70+ Non-Resident Military*

1 Day Combination $11.35 $20.15 $11.35 $20.15

2 Day Combination $15.75 $28.95 $15.75 $28.95

3 Day Combination $19.05 $35.55 $19.05 $35.55

*You may qualify for reduced fees if you are a:
• Veteran with a service-connected disability of 30% or more
• Veteran 65 years of age or older with a service-connected disability
• Resident who permanently uses a wheelchair
• Resident who is blind or visually impaired
• Resident with a developmental disability

There will also be two large teepees available for overnight guest accommodations. Use of these teepees is FREE but on a first come-first served basis. Each teepee can accommodate 6-8 people.

Directions:

To get to the knap-in:

Drive north past Seattle about 70 miles on Interstate 5. Take the 230 off-ramp to highway 20 and go west toward Anacortes. Take highway 20 turn off to Deception Pass. Go past Deception Pass about 2 miles and turn right (west) on Banta Road. Follow the signs from Banta Road to the knap-in. There are stores and restaurants/fast foods in the area. Contact Joe Higgins at (360) 720-1076 or (360) 675-4943 for more information on fishing and the knap-in.

Maps:

Home :: How To; :: Interesting Stuff :: Member Art Galleries :: Events :: About Us