Brian Cook, of Irrigon, and his three-mule team are ready to give visitors a tour of the town during Flora School Days on June 4, 2022. The 2024 Flora School Days is slated for June 15, with hopes of better weather.

FLORA — Blacksmiths, young or old, beginners or otherwise, are encouraged to compete in a competition at Flora School Days. This year the contestants will make replicas of 18th century gate hinges.

With just less than a month before the competition at Flora School Days — the annual event is June 15, starting at 7 a.m. — a press release urges blacksmiths to gather materials and start practicing.

The category each year is set by an outside source who is not a blacksmith and cannot enter in the contest for the current year. Competition entries may be simple to complex, depending on skill level and how each blacksmith works the craft.

Nathan Thompson, from Pomeroy, Washington, will be at the event, according to the release. Thompson was winner of the competition in 2019 on a coal forge. 

Thompson, who won’t be competing this year, is in charge of the overall competition at School Days.

“The crowd has a chance to vote for their favorite smith by putting tickets or money in your can, so practice your ‘showmanship’ while you practice your hinges,” he said.

Thompson will be wearing a dress in this year’s competition, same with Ben Cook from Hermiston. In 2023, both lost to Justin Riley from Dixie, Washington, who proclaimed this to be just dues for the 2024 competition.

For more information on Flora School Days or the blacksmith competition, text 509-876-7812, call 541-828-7010 or email floraschool@tds.net.