2024 Hammer-In Festival

The Lacombe & District Historical Society is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated Annual Hammer-In Festival at the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop. Mark your calendars for September 14, 2024 as we invite you to the largest Blacksmith gathering in Alberta, and a day filled with blacksmithing marvels, artisan markets, and captivating historical experiences.

2024 marks several important milestones at the Lacombe Museum, one of them being the 30th anniversary of the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum opening as a museum! A more thorough history of our shop can be found in the virtual exhibit Through the Years | Lacombe Blacksmith Shop but it was opened to the public in the spring of 1994 only one year after the Lacombe and District Historical Society purchased it and undertook a major conservation project in the building. Since then it has been open to the public during the summer months, today open 5 days a week Victoria Day through Labour Day weekend. This year the Annual Hammer-In Festival is serving as our anniversary celebration so join us in celebrating 30 years of the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum and 122 years of the shop itself.

As always the Hammer-In Festival is free for the public to attend, donations are of course greatly appreciated. The Hammer-In Festival primarily takes place outdoors on 49 Street and in the parking lots directly north and south of the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum.

In our Blacksmith’s Alley visit with our 2024 demonstrators. Most demonstrators will have items available to purchase.

Wes Hingst (Crooked Tree Forge)
Christopher Frostad (Frostad Forge)
Paula Briggs
Tom Hourahine
Crom Armouries
Will Vick
Miles Vollman (Vollman Forge)
Jon Slater
Bubba Janzen (Rude and Rustic Metalworks)
Heritage Park (Colin Omilusik, Micki Bennett, Bill Spencer)
Inside of the historic Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum visitors can view staff and volunteers using our original coal forge, purchase items made in our 1902 blacksmith shop, and view displays about blacksmithing.

On 49 Street visit our makers market! Local makers, crafters, and artisans will be selling their beautiful handmade items.

Directly in front of the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum visitors will be able to take part in family-friendly activities including rope making, air dry clay sculpting, and horseshoes.

To the north of the blacksmith shop visitors can purchase food from the Red Deer Food Bank’s Brisket Boys food truck.

Please note some vendors may be cash only. The closest ATM is in Servus Credit Union at the corner of 50 Street and 51 Avenue.

Street parking directly beside the Lacombe Blacksmith Shop Museum will be limited but the festival is easily accessible if using the public parking lots on Highway 2A near Elite Bridal Boutique or Leto’s Restaurant.

If you are interested in being a vendor in the artisan market or are a blacksmith or farrier who would like a demonstration spot please get in touch via 403-782-3933 or bookings@lacombemuseum.com.