EVANS CITY — At the end of Main Street, past P & B’s Sweets and Eats, sat a lone tent with two blacksmiths covered in the smell of charcoal.

Nathan Oesterling and Ray Kipp gave blacksmithing demonstrations throughout the day on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Evans City’s PumpkinFest.

The two crafted pieces such as knives, axes, crosses and household items, including fire pokers, bottle openers and Christmas ornaments, using charcoal fire and hammered them on an anvil.

The two blacksmiths are members of the Pittsburgh Area Artist-Blacksmiths Association. Oesterling said he learned primarily from watching YouTube videos and practicing himself. Kipp agreed the videos are helpful and added the best way to learn is from someone with experience.

Most blacksmithing today is more “artsy,” but Kipp, a

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