Here's your chance
to go back in time and see how things were done long, long ago.The Stone Age &
Primitive Arts Festival held at
Ochlockonee River State Park
provides insight into how early man lived and worked, complete with
demonstrations of skills that were required to survive in prehistoric times.
Many skills known little today were required by early people ... including deer
hide tanning, carving wood, bone and antlers to make weapons and tools, bow and
arrow construction, basket weaving, and pottery making. Learn how to start a
fire with a bow drill, hand drill, or a fire saw. The art of fashioning
projectile points for arrows and spears, known as "flint knapping" is also
demonstrated. In fact, this festival is sometimes referred to as the "Knapping
Festival".
In addition to displays and demonstrations showing how ancient skills were used,
there are also competitions to test these skills. The Buddy Page - Rick Wiles
Knapping Contest tests how well contestants can duplicate a sample projectile
point using only native materials and traditional tools. The primitive bow
competition tests the accuracy of participants who must use hand made bows and
arrows. No factory made equipment or modern bows are allowed. The Atlatl
Throwing Contest pits contestants against each other to see who has the best
accuracy with an Atlatl. An "Atlatl" is a throwing stick used to propel darts at
high velocity.
The "vendor village" set up at the park during the festival provides an
opportunity to view and purchase everything from hand made pottery, jewelry and
woven baskets to bows, arrows, and spears - as well as the raw materials and
supplies to make your own.
Activities & Facilities
Restaurant
Picnic shelter
Arts/crafts vendors
Short hiking trails
Long hiking trails
Paved bike trails
Mountain bike trails
Tent camping
RV sites