MEET OUR SPONSORS
This festival is only made possible by the generosity of local businesses and organizations. Thank you to all of the donors and many volunteers that support the James Black Bowie Heritage Festival!
Thank You to our Sponsors!
Our sponsors play a vital role in keeping this festival growing and accessible to the public. Their support helps us provide educational programs, live demonstrations, and family-friendly activities in Historic Washington.
Sponsor Applications at the bottom
PLATINUM TIER
SILVER TIER
BRONZE TIER
BECOME A SPONSOR
Sponsorship Overview
The James Black Bowie Heritage Festival Committee is proud to announce the 5th Annual James Black Bowie Heritage Festival, taking place April 24–25, 2026 in Washington, Arkansas. We invite you to consider sponsoring this two-day event dedicated to preserving American craftsmanship and history.
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The festival honors James Black, the Washington bladesmith credited with forging the first Bowie knife for Jim Bowie, while also promoting the history of bladesmithing, traditional trades, and Arkansas heritage crafts.
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Festival highlights include forging and cutting competitions, live demonstrations by skilled craftsmen, hands-on educational opportunities, and featured Master Bladesmith Ricardo Vilar, alongside more than 25 artists, craftsmen, and renowned knifemakers.
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This event is made possible through the support of the City of Washington, Historic Washington State Park, the Washington Tourism Commission, the UAHT Foundation, and the James Black School of Bladesmithing.
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We appreciate your consideration and support. Sponsorships of all levels help ensure the continued success of this educational, nonprofit event.
For questions, please contact admin@bowieknifefest.com or Catherine Rowe at 870-777-6150.
James Black Bowie Heritage Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Sponsorship Level 2026 | Contribution Amount | Special Recognition | Marketing & Promotion | Media & Advertising | VIP Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titanium | $10,000 | Master Bladesmith custom work | Logo on posters; printed materials; website link; social media | Online ads (1 year); regional radio | VIP booth space; Meet & Greet dinner (4/24/26); 4 tickets |
Platinum | $5,000 | R. Vilar utility knife & plaque | Logo on posters; printed materials; website link; social media | Online ads (1 year); regional radio | Meet & Greet dinner (4/24/26); 4 tickets |
Gold | $2,500 | Plaque | Poster advertising; printed materials; social media | Regional radio | Meet & Greet dinner (4/24/26); 2 tickets |
Silver | $1,000 | Poster advertising; printed materials; social media | Meet & Greet dinner (4/24/26); 2 tickets | ||
Bronze | $500 | Printed materials; social media |