"Super psyched:" Family-run 'Milwaukee Blacksmith' to be featured in reality TV show on History
MILWAUKEE -- A family-run blacksmith business, located near the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee's Third Ward will be featured in a reality television show -- premiering on the History Channel Tuesday night, August 23rd.
Milwaukee Blacksmith
There is rarely a quiet moment inside Milwaukee Blacksmith, located on Erie near Jefferson.
“It’s hard, hard work," said founding father Kent Knapp. "It’s heavy lifting. It’s swinging a hammer.”
At the shop in the Third Ward, there is always some project to start or finish.
“We can literally walk in here, and make anything we want out of steel," said 21-year-old Miles, Knapp's son.
Kent Knapp
Tuesday, August 23rd was different than any other at the shop.
“The energy is just bubbling at the top," Kent Knapp said. "Everybody is super psyched.”
On Tuesday night, Knapp and his family of blacksmiths will become reality television stars.
Milwaukee Blacksmith
“It all hit me, like, yesterday," said 23-year-old Zoey Rae, Knapp's eldest child. "That thousands and thousands of people are going to see me on TV.”
Milwaukee Blacksmith
A crew from the History Channel followed Kent Knapp and the four eldest of his six children around for four months. The finished product is a series of the same name, 'Milwaukee Blacksmith,' which premieres Tuesday night.
“When I saw the first couple episodes I just, I watched the whole thing like this," said Kent Knapp, as he wiped away fake tears. "Because these are my guys. These are babies. This is my life. Of course I get very emotional about it."
Milwaukee Blacksmith
And the process wasn’t just emotionally taxing. The production schedule pushed the Knapps to their limits, creatively and physically.
Milwaukee Blacksmith
Milwaukee Blacksmith
“You’re taking a project that normally takes three months and squeezing it into a week," Zoey Rae explained.
“You basically just get to watch us scratch our heads and try and figure out how the hell we’re going to do it," Miles said.
Milwaukee Blacksmith premieres at 9:00 p.m. CT on History. The family is hosting a watch party at the Milwaukee Ale House starting at 7:00 p.m.
Milwaukee Blacksmith
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