13^thAnnual Whoop Up Knap-In
September 3 to 7 2026
Ft Whoop Up Black Powder Range, Lethbridge AB Canada
Hosts Bob Godwin , Kathy Meeres and Doug Shaw

The site is located in the valley close to the confluence of the St Mary River and the Old Man River, near the original site of Ft Whoop-Up. Knowledgeable knappers from Canada and the US will be available to instruct those who want to learn or improve their knapping skills. This is an opportunity to meet other knappers with varying skills and experiences. We will join the Black Powder Rendezvous - any knapper with a black powder gun can participate in the shoot. (There is an entry fee for black powder shooters). The knap-in is free.

If you wish to attend, register as soon as possible with Kathy Meeres at godmee@sasktel.net or Bob Godwin at 306-343-8590 or Doug Shaw at 403-507-3551. This will help us to plan our Canadian Ft Whoop-Up Knap-in and to know how many campers we will have. Rock and tools will be available to use; you must supply eye/safetey glasses which must be worn to protect the eyes from flying rock shards. Gloves for hand protection are also recommended (inexpensive nitrile coated knit gloves are best). The weather man has promised warm dry weather. There will be an archery/atlatl range.

There is no entry fee for knappers and their families. However, as there is no charge for the knap-in, we cover expenses through an auction. Please support our auction by donating (and bidding on) something at the auction. Let us know if you want a free camping site; it is in open native grassland between the knapping setup and the Old Man River. There is lots of room for trailers and tents. Public toilets are available on site; no power or water. There is a serviced campground in Lethbridge and hotels etc in the south side of Lethbridge, about an 11 km drive. There is a trailer dump station and potable city water available at the Tourist Information Hut on the corner of Mayor Magrath Dr. and Scenic Drive So (11 km). Don’t forget that you need a passport or enhanced driver's licence if you're coming from the US.

Directions:

A: From the South (Hwy 5), head north to just past the Lethbridge airport, turn west onto Township Rd 82 and follow the directions in part B.

From the North (Calgary) take Hwy 2 south to Fort Macleod, then Hwy 3 to Lethbridge and then proceed as below (from the East and West)

From the East and West on the Crowsnest Trail Highway (#3) - Entering Lethbridge from on the Crowsnest Trail Highway (#3), take the Mayor Magrath Dr. exit and proceed South (a little over 6 km, or just under 4 mi) and turn right on Township Rd 82 (just before the airport)and follow the directions in part B.

From the Southeast on Highway #4 (from Coutts US/Canada Border Crossing): - Follow Highway 4 but when it turns back north, continue straight west (turns into 24 St.) to the intersection of Mayor Magrath Dr. Turn south on Mayor Magrath Dr. and go 2.9 km (1.8 miles) to Township Rd 82 and follow the directions in part B.

B: Once you turn west onto Township Rd 82 by the airport (watch for signs for the black powder shoot), go about 2.4 km (1.5 miles) west to a T Intersection, turn left onto Range Rd 215, go 1.6 km (1 mile) and turn right on to TWP Rd 81. Go another 1.6 km (1 mile) and turn right at the Black Powder Range sign and go north on this trail into the valley to the range (about 1.5 km/1 mile). GPS coordinates for the range are N 49deg38.6, W 112deg50.9.

We have a very limited data base to send this invitation to so please extend this information to anyone who might be interested. If they would like to be included in our e-mail list please forward their names, tel # and emails to Kathy Meeres at godmee@sasktel.net.

Schedule:

We usually set up Thursday afternoon and knap after that through Sunday evening, including 2" goat competitions, with departures usually Monday, although you're welcome to camp another night. There's usually a joint potluck Saturday (often meat provided), followed by an auction or raffle of items brought by knappers. Evenings often include a campfire with singing and tall tales!

If you have questions call Bob Godwin, 306-343-8590, or email Kathy and Bob at godmee@sasktel.net or call Doug Shaw at 403-507-3551.