Visitors enjoy open carry and blueberry pancakes at first-ever Rod of Iron Freedom Festival
Greeley. The free festival offered music, barbecue, guest speakers, art and fashion shows, plus a gun auction that raised money for the National Rifle Association, Guns of America, and the Second Amendment Foundation.
Greeley /
| 15 Oct 2019 | 09:28
Nicholas Mele and his dad, Lou, are wearing shirts given to them by Kahr Arms. (
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Ed Selvaggi of the Blooming Grove Township Fire Department said he was on site when a controlled brush fire got out of hand early last spring on the Kahr Arms property. (
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Michael Christopher, Pennsylvania State Constable for Blooming Grove township. "I think they should do this every year," he said. "It's earth-friendly and respectable. I'd like to see a second and third year and more." (
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Alan Gottlieb, one of the speakers, co-wrote "Good Guys with Guns" and is founder of the Second Amendment Foundation. (
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Mike Varone wearing his "Shall not be infringed. 2nd Amendment" tee shirt. (
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Gregg Gonzalas and Milton Menoscal demonstrate Brazilian jiu jitsu. (
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Ryoko Honeycutt and Hobl Yohann came from North Carolina and Austria, respectively (
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The sign says: "Safe space if you feel triggered by today's events, find sanctuary here" in the gun-free zone. (
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The Rod of Iron art show (
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Gregg Knoll gives the festival a thumbs up. (
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Jennifer Kim at the photo booth. (
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The Grain to Glory Flag Company. (
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Visitors from the Bronx. (
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Keiko Takahashi (
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The Blooming Grove Fire Department sold barbecued chicken dinners. (
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Veterans were showcased throughout this free open carry event. (
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The audience listens to John "Tig" Tiegen, a high-profile security and force protection expert. (
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Sushi was available for festival-goers. (
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The Coalition of New Jersey Firearm Owners (
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The first-ever Rod of Iron Freedom Festival was a free open-carry event that offered everything from a Trump Tommy gun that you could buy at auction, to a concealed carry fashion show, to a sit-down blueberry pancake breakfast.
The festival was held Oct. 12 and 13 at the Kahr Arms Tommy Gun Warehouse Factory Outlet in Greeley. Each guest provided identification and received a wristband before entering the festival grounds.
Guest speakers included John Velleco, John "Tig" Tiegen, Craig Sawyer, Mark Robinson, Justin Moon, and Pastor Hyung Jim Sean Moon.
Maj Toure, founder of Black Guns Matter, introduced the opening band, Brokedown and Rebuilt. The musical headliner was Madison Rising.
The festival offered shotgun clay shooting and special guns for shooting at tyrant targets. The Rod of Iron art show, which had as its theme "The God Given Right to Bear Arms," offered money awards, ribbons, and prizes in each category.
The Trump Tommy gun was emblazoned with the president's image and signature, the number 45, and other presidential accouterments. Visitors also bought chances to win a golden Tommy gun. Proceeds from the auction and raffle benefited the National Rifle Association, Guns of America, and the Second Amendment Foundation.
Many merchants participated, including food vendors offering sushi and sweet sausage. The Blooming Grove Hemlock Fire Department served blueberry pancakes for breakfast and barbecued chicken for lunch. There was an archery booth for children, a Rod of Iron photo booth, and a Second Amendment booth.
There were several book signings, including HJ Sean Moon applying his signature to "Our Father Forsaken." Amanda Suffecool put on a concealed carry fashion show, offering styles to accommodate the well-dressed heat packer.
The publisher of Our Town Magazine presented the Rod of Iron Freedom Awards. John Velleco, executive vice president of Gun Owners of America, accepted an award for the Gun Owners Foundation. Founder Kelly Ann Pidgeon accepted a state award for Armed and Feminine. And Mike Barth and Kory Erick received a local award for the Friends of the NRA.
The day was topped off with grand finale fireworks.