My 8-year-old daughter held the axe in two hands over her head, concentrating as she aimed.
"Let's move you over here," I murmured to my son, moving him slightly behind me as she tensed.
Then she threw, and the axe twirled through the air, thumping against wood before falling to the ground.
This isn't the synopsis of the latest horror movie. Just a visit to Panama Rocks' brand new attraction called Axcellent Adventures, located just a 40-minute drive from Erie.
The attraction, located right on Panama Rocks' grounds, opens June 23rd, but you can get a sneak peek on Father's Day when Axcellent Adventures will host a fundraiser for CASA of Chautauqua County, a nonprofit that advocates for children in the foster care system. There are still openings available to throw during Sunday's fundraiser. The cost is $30 for two hours.
An Axcellent Idea
Axcellent Adventures was the idea of Jonathan Weston, whose family owns Panama Rocks. He grew up in a home on the site, before moving away to work for Congress for a decade, specializing in U.S and China relations. He and his wife moved back to Panama Rocks five years ago to run the attraction and raise their family.
Axcellent Adventures, located on Panama Rocks' grounds, opens June 23rd. Get a sneak peek on Father's Day when Axcellent Adventures will host a fundraiser for CASA of Chautauqua County. There are still openings available to throw during Sunday's fundraiser. The cost is $30 for two hours. | ||
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Jonathan learned to throw axes when he was a child. A craft vendor who attended Panama Rocks' Folk Fairs taught him.
"He would come to our craft fairs and sell tomahawks," Jonathan says. "He'd set up a target for people to give axe throwing a try. I got good enough that I could slice a playing card in half."
Jonathan was at a bachelor party in Montreal when he was re-introduced to axe throwing as an adult. The sport has taken off in Canada, and has migrated to the United States in recent years. Jonathan's research found Pittsburgh and Cleveland have businesses with dedicated spaces to axe throwing, while Buffalo has a bar called Hatchets and Hops.
But there was nowhere for people to get their lumberjack on in the Jamestown, N.Y., or Erie market, so Jonathan figured he had an opening.
Axe-throwing kids? Yep.
He worked with the National Axe Throwing Federation -- yes, that really exists -- to build a facility that meets or exceeds their safety standards. Axcellent Adventures is an open-air facility, with eight targets made out of tree trunks. It is set up like a miniature batting cage, with chain link fencing between the targets. You can throw for fun, or keep score in a fashion similar to darts.
"Obviously, safety is the top priority," he says. He recommends signing up for a $30, 2-hour time slot, of which the first 20 minutes or so will be reviewing safety and how to throw. An "axpert" -- if you will -- will always be on hand at the facility to oversee the operation, he says. (If you don't sign up in advance, you can still come as a 'walk-up' and throw for an hour, Jonathan says.)
The axes competitors throw weigh 1.5 pounds. There are also "mouse hawks" specially sized for kids. Jonathan recommends kids be at least 8 to try axe throwing.
"Physically, kids have a hard time doing it before then," he says.
But even if they miss, it sure is fun. While my daughter's throws never stuck to the target, she seemed more than satisfied with her attempts.
"I never knew I'd like throwing axes," she said, turning back to me, with a big grin on her face.
Uh oh.
