BladeSports National Finals Cutting Competition at the Ozark Folk Center May 12

BladeSports executive director Donovan Phillips shows off his Championship cutting style. Join the excitement May 12 as bladesmiths from around the world compete in the BladeSports National Finals Cutting Competition at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas.

BladeSports executive director Donovan Phillips shows off his Championship cutting style. Join the excitement May 12 as bladesmiths from around the world compete in the BladeSports National Finals Cutting Competition at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas.

Bladesmiths, adrenaline junkies and knife enthusiasts alike will want to join in the fun Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 during BladeSports National Finals Cutting Competition at the Ozark Folk Center State Park, in Mountain View, Arkansas. Several world records have been broken in past competitions and the trend is expected to continue.

This exciting sport starts with the competitor chopping a two-by-four in half, then swiftly traveling to cut hanging ropes, rolling ping pong balls, full bottles of water, cans, tennis balls, drinking straws and then finishing the course by chopping the other end off the two-by-four. The event is time and the excitement level for spectators is intense.

All competitors in this event have qualified through a series of competitions around the United States. They travel from both coasts and as far away as Alaska to compete. These guys are the best of the best.

The BladeSports National Finals Cutting Competition begins with a course test and a safety meeting for competitors at 10:00 a.m. in the Ozark Folk Center State Park Craft Village. The first round of cutting starts at 10:30 in the yard behind the Administration Building. Depending on the number of cutters, this round will last about an hour. Points will be announced at the end of the round.

The second round of competition begins at 2:30 p.m. There will be an award ceremony after points are totaled at the end of the competition.

The Ozark Folk Center State Park Craft Village is home to world-class knife makers, gunsmiths and blacksmiths. Between competition rounds, make sure you take the time to visit these workshops. The Smokehouse Snack Bar in the Village offers great hamburgers and sandwiches, or the Skillet Restaurant is a great place for a good old-fashioned southern dinner. Tickets to the Craft Village at the Ozark Folk Center are only $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for children ages 6 through 12, children 6 and under are free. There is no additional charge to watch the BladeSports Cutting Competition. For more information call 870-269-3851 or visit the web site at www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.