Allen has been village blacksmith for 30-plus years

It’s a hot job, but someone has to do it!

For the past 30 years, Beacher Allen has braved the heat of the fire to entertain crowds at the annual Old Settlers’ Days festival as the village blacksmith.

Ironically, the festival is also where he learned the craft all those years ago.

He said he was at the festival as part of the Hills and Holler Black Powder booth when Fred Fultz came over and told him to come with him.

“I said,  ‘Where are we going Fred?’” recalled Allen. “He said, ‘Just come with me. You’re going to be the village blacksmith this weekend.’”

Allen said he laughed and said he had no idea what he was doing and had never done blacksmithing. However, the man who was supposed to fill the roll didn’t show up, so Allen was selected to fill the spot.

“I didn’t have a clue what I was doing!” he laughed. “But it didn’t take long for me to realize that the public didn’t know what I was supposed to be doing either. So it worked!”

He must have done something right, because before the weekend was over, Willy Harlen was asking him to come back the next year. 

“I just learned right there in front of the public,” said Allen, explaining that he was self taught.

He makes everything from fire pokers to decorative items and even has done some commissioned work. He sells the items he makes during the festival.

The blacksmithing gig has led to other jobs, like working in the blacksmith shop at Spring Mill and setting up for other area festivals, like the Maple Syrup Festival and the Leota Frolic.

“I enjoy Old Settlers’ Days,” said Allen. “Many people come back year after year and it’s always fun to talk and catch up.”

He likes the kids coming in and asking lots of question. He said they are always curious about what he is doing.

“I mean, there is fire involved!” he said, adding that always makes things more interesting.

His wife and daughter are in charge of the village stew, so he said he looks forward to the food as well!

This year’s festival was a hot one and although Allen said it has been hotter, he was taking frequent breaks Saturday and Sunday to beat the heat. 

Nevertheless, expect to see Allen back in his post during next year’s annual event.

See more photos and coverage from last weekend's festival in The Salem Leader, on newsstands this evening.