Our Guildmaster Talks about The Gunmakers Fair at Kempton (July 25, 26, & 27, 2025) & The HCH Summer Reception
June 16, 2025 by Rick Sheets
Filed under Message from the Guildmaster
Dear HCH Members,
With schools officially out, it is time to start making summer plans. I hope The Gunmaker’s Fair at Kempton and our HCH Annual Summer Reception are among yours. Whether you are a long time HCH member or you’ve just joined, both events promise to be full of fun and fellowship that I’m sure you will not want to miss.
The Gunmaker’s Fair, held at the Kempton Fairgrounds in Kempton, Pennsylvania is now in its fourth year. The Fair features historical demonstrators, seminars, gun-making, horn work, historical artisans, and of course vendors. There will be lots of cow horns there! Lots! One highlight for many who attend the Fair, is the gun-making and accouterments judging. If you are new to either activity, this is a great opportunity to have your worked evaluated by seasoned craftsmen and to receive a thoughtfully written critique aimed at helping you improve your skills. The Gunmakers Fair is still growing, and as the HCH is one of the three sponsoring organizations, I would love to see a large turnout from our membership at the event.
Volunteers are needed, so if you can spare some time over the three days, please let Nancy Hoover, Antonia Davis, or myself know ASAP!
Nancy Hoover- nhoover14@gmail.com
Antonia Davis- kemptongmf@comcast.net
Clinton Byers- hornandfiber@gmail.com
Our Annual Summer Reception, also held at the Kempton Fair Grounds, is on Friday evening July 25 at 6:00pm. Please reserve your spots as soon as possible as it helps us with planning. We need all reservations by July 17th. Last year we had a great time and the food was delicious! Our group only formally meets twice a year, and I always find it enjoyable to see so many at the reception. A little slower paced than the Annual Horn Fair, this makes for a great place to chat and catch up. As always, there’s a chance to win some cool prizes. Tickets for the raffle will be available for purchase at the HCH tent and online.
Have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Clinton E. Byers
HCH Guildmaster
