Contemporary Longrifle Association

09/08/2026

🏆 2026 CLA SPECIAL AWARDS 🏆
✨ Celebrating 30 Years of the CLA ✨

This year was especially meaningful as we celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the Contemporary Longrifle Association, honoring three decades of preserving and celebrating America’s traditional arts and bringing our community together.

As part of this milestone celebration, we were honored to recognize individuals whose dedication, artistry, service, and commitment have made a lasting impact on our community.

Each year, these special awards are personally selected by the President of the Contemporary Longrifle Association in recognition of outstanding contributions to the CLA and the traditional arts.

The awards themselves are handcrafted each year by artisan Mark Thomas, whose incredible skill and artistry make these honors truly special.

✨ Pioneer Award: Ian Pratt and Ken Gahagan
✨ Distinguished Service Award: Rachel Ramsbottom and Katie Horn
✨ Educational Award: Gary Ludwig

These awards celebrate more than individual accomplishments. They honor those who have helped preserve our heritage, share their knowledge, serve our community, and inspire the next generation.

As we celebrated 30 years of the CLA, it was especially fitting to recognize those who have helped shape its story and strengthen its mission.

Congratulations to Ian, Ken, Rachel, Katie, and Gary! 🏆

Thank you for your dedication and for your lasting contributions you have made to the CLA. Here’s to celebrating 30 years of history and looking forward to the many years ahead! ❤️

09/03/2026

🤠 Step Back in Time This Weekend! 🏕️

The 18th Century Trades Fair is happening this weekend, September 4–6, 2026, at Fair Lawn Farm in Monterey, Virginia!

Come experience the sights, sounds, and skills of the 18th century with blacksmiths, gunsmiths, horners, weavers, spinners, clothiers, furniture makers, peddlers, silversmiths, longhunters, wagoners, artillery demonstrations, and so much more!

It’s a great opportunity to support traditional artisans, see historic trades in action, and enjoy a weekend celebrating the skills and craftsmanship of the 18th century.

📅 September 4, 5 & 6, 2026
📍 Fair Lawn Farm
318 Mill Gap Rd., Monterey, VA
🎟️ $7 Day Pass | $15 Weekend Pass | Kids FREE

The Contemporary Longrifle Association who help keep our early American traditions alive!

The CLA encourages our members and friends to check it out and support these talented artisans. There are several CLA members that will be set up at the show, so be sure to stop by, say hello, and check out their work. And who knows…Katie may even make an appearance! 😉

👉 Make plans to visit this weekend! 🪶🔥🧵🔨🏹

08/24/2026

✨ The 30th Anniversary Show Recap Begins! ✨

The show may be over, but the memories, friendships, artistry, and incredible moments live on!

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be looking back at our 30th Anniversary CLA Show, highlighting the people, displays, awards, auctions, special moments, and so much more.

📸 Stay tuned as we relive the magic of 30 amazing years of artistry and friendship!

Thank you to everyone who made this milestone show one for the books!

08/17/2026

The 30th Anniversary CLA Show may be a wrap, but the memories are just getting started!

Over the coming days, we’ll be sharing show reviews, highlights, special moments, and more from this incredible anniversary celebration.

But we want to see the show through YOUR eyes! 📸

Share your favorite pictures, moments, spotlights, and highlights from the show in the comments. You never know where we may use them! We absolutely love seeing the CLA experience from the perspective of our members, exhibitors, artisans, collectors, and friends.

What was your favorite moment from the 30th Anniversary Show? What will you remember most?

Drop your photos and stories below and let’s keep the 30th Anniversary memories going!

08/16/2026

& just like that… it’s a WRAP! 🎉

What an absolutely wonderful, AMAZING 30th Anniversary CLA Show! We celebrated 30 incredible years of artistry, friendship, tradition, and the longrifle culture we all love.

From the incredible artisans and collectors to our volunteers, members, exhibitors, donors, and everyone who walked through those doors, YOU made this anniversary show one to remember!

Here’s to 30 amazing years… and to many, MANY more! ❤️

Thank you for making this 30th Anniversary Show truly unforgettable.

Until we meet again… keep the tradition alive!

08/15/2026

What an incredible 30th Anniversary CLA Show and Annual Meeting it has been! Today is our last day to celebrate 30 years of friendship, craftsmanship, tradition, and everything that makes the CLA family so special.

There’s still time to come out, see the incredible work, visit with old friends, make new ones, and be part of this historic celebration!

Let’s make this final day one to remember!

We’ll see you at the show!

08/14/2026

08/14/2026

Opening day of the 30th Annual CLA Show & Meeting is absolutely AMAZING! The energy is incredible, the aisles are buzzing, and the talent, artistry, friendships, and smiles are everywhere!

We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate 30 years of CLA with all of you! 🇺🇸

And we’re just getting started! LET’S GO! 🎉

08/12/2026

🚨 WE HAVE ARRIVED! 🚨

The CLA Show Staff is officially in Kentucky and the excitement is REAL! 🎉🇺🇸

Tomorrow is the day we’ve been waiting for! The doors open, our exhibitors roll in, and the 30th Annual CLA Show & Meeting officially gets underway!

We have been working hard behind the scenes, and we cannot wait to welcome our exhibitors, members, artists, collectors, friends, and family to an unforgettable 30th anniversary celebration!

Kentucky, we’re here! LET’S DO THIS!

See everybody tomorrow! WOOOOOOHOOOOOO! 🎉🔥🇺🇸

08/12/2026

📣 EXHIBITOR REMINDERS FOR THIS WEEK! 📣

The big week is finally here! We’re getting ready for the 30th Annual CLA Show & Meeting, and we can’t wait to welcome all of our amazing exhibitors!

🕚 Exhibitor Move In begins Thursday at 11:00 AM!

🚗 Once you’ve unloaded your vehicle, please move it to the parking lot. This will help keep the unloading area clear and allow everyone the opportunity to get in, unload, and get set up.

Thank you in advance for helping us keep move in running smoothly, and for doing your part to make our 30th Anniversary Show & Meeting spectacular!

We’re ready for an incredible week, let’s make one to remember! 🇺🇸