The art of ax throwing has reinvented itself into a hobby in Kansas.
Now, that hobby is targeting the Kansas State Fair.
The folks at Kingston-based Lumberjack Attack are pulling a mobile unit onto the fairgrounds and allowing those aged 6 and up to literally throw axes.
For $5, customers get about one dozen throws in their two-lane enclosed trailer.
“We will teach people how to throw,” said Charlene Barber. “We have some games that we can play while we’re out there. It’s very cheap.”
Charlene and Oman Barber opened up the ax throwing business in December on Main Street in Kingman. This past summer, they hit the road with their mobile unit, traveling to county fairs.
With the help of Gene Barber, who has run the business at two locations in Oklahoma, the couple will show fairgoers how to hold, aim and throw a one-pound ax.
“We like to teach you how to throw,” Barber said. “Then we generally play a game after that.” All the while, people outside the booth can look in, seeing how difficult or easy the throws can be. “We do have some trick shots that we can show people how to do while we’re up there,” Barber said.
Also, there are small prizes, besides the pride of hitting, when ax throwers hit the kill marks. “If the person hits either the red bullseye or the blue kill shots, they get a small prize,” Barber said.
As for their location in Kingman, Lumberjack Attack has four lanes and is $10 an hour per person to come through.
If lines are long at the fair, there is also an ax throwing location in downtown Hutchinson at Axe it Up.
Growing up in Kingman, the three Barbers were aware of what axes were for. But as far as sport, the three had to learn.
“Gene started first,” Barber said. “About three years ago.” Then Charlene and Oman Barber picked up the equipment. “We threw some axes and it just catches on,” Barber said. “It’s very fun.”
The Barbers said they wanted to bring the sport to as many people as they can, saying they have had long lines at fairs.
“It really is fun. It’s not dangerous,” Barber said. “We teach people to throw axes and be very safe.”
As far as finding the booth at the fair, Barber said to just look and listen. “It’s a big trailer and you can’t miss hearing the axes,” he said. “When they hit the targets, you’ll hear those.”
As reported in The Hutchinson News
