Missouri Day Weekend will bring an event called the "Atlatl Throw" to the North Central Missouri Fairgrounds in Trenton on Saturday and Sunday, October 20th and 21st.

Throws on both days starting around 10:00 a.m, with thousands attending Trenton’s Missouri Day Festival which includes a 50 school band competition , Arts, Crafts, Flea market, Food venders and now , an Atlatl competition. Come join the fun.

For information contact Scott Rorebeck 660-654-1741srorebeck@yahoo.com or Steve Spencer 660-654-3904 barbspencer@cebridge.net.

Atlatls are ancient weapons that preceded the bow and arrow in most parts of the world and are one of humankind's first mechanical inventions. An atlatl is essentially a stick with a handle on one end and a hook or socket that engages a light spear or “dart” on the other. The flipping motion of the atlatl propels a light spear much faster and farther than it could be thrown by hand alone.

The Trenton Atlatl competition will be an ISAC (International Standard Accuracy Contest) and also a paleo animal target competition. The ISAC competition is a worldwide contest with scores tabulated and recorded via the internet. This organization has experienced a rebirth in interest around 25 years ago. During the planned tournament in Trenton on October 20-21 the community is invited to watch and try out the sport of Atlatl throwing.

The Atlatl is not new to Missouri, in fact, it was heavily used throughout the state by the Native Americans based on archeological evidence proves. Flint dart points have been and are still being found in this region. Yes, mastodons were most likely hunted in this area with the atlatl.
It should also be noted that Missouri is at the forefront of the country in re-establishing hunting seasons that allow hunters to pursue game with the use of an atlatl and dart.