On Saturday and Sunday, June 11th and 12th, a new family festival will be coming to Bouckville in Madison County! The event has something for everyone in a peaceful rural setting at Butternut Hill Campground, along scenic Route 20. Whether you enjoy admiring fine artwork, like to learn new things, enjoy getting up close and personal with all sorts of animals, want to help your children understand where their clothing comes from, enjoy shopping for unique gifts or raw materials for a project, or just relish the thought of a picnic under the trees, the CNY Fiber Artists & Producers’ Showcase will have what you seek.
For dog lovers, there will be a chance to visit an exhibit on dog breeds and talk to young dog owners about their animals. On Sunday afternoon, the Oneida County 4-H club will put on a dog show. Anyone raising sheep or goats understands the importance of herding dogs, and the young 4-H competitors will be demonstrating the obedience skills they and their dogs have learned – one of the first steps in training a herding dog. Herding dogs and guardian dogs will be for sale in one of the vendor tents as well – just two of the special items related to fiber animals and fleece that will be available.
Bouckville has long been a haven for antique lovers, and history buffs will have a chance to see historical crafts in action as members of spinning and weaving guilds from surrounding counties demonstrate crafts that were once practiced in every home. Come to watch and ask questions, or sign up for one of the workshops available in beginning spinning, rug braiding, basket weaving, or wet felting. Students will leave the classes with a new drop spindle or an article they’ve made themselves: a historical fruit basket made from locally grown willow, a coaster braided from wool roving, or a beautiful scarf made from wool felted through silk. Even if you have never tried to make anything, the instructors are sure to bring out the artist hidden within you!
For dog lovers, there will be a chance to visit an exhibit on dog breeds and talk to young dog owners about their animals. On Sunday afternoon, the Oneida County 4-H club will put on a dog show. Anyone raising sheep or goats understands the importance of herding dogs, and the young 4-H competitors will be demonstrating the obedience skills they and their dogs have learned – one of the first steps in training a herding dog. Herding dogs and guardian dogs will be for sale in one of the vendor tents as well – just two of the special items related to fiber animals and fleece that will be available.
Bouckville has long been a haven for antique lovers, and history buffs will have a chance to see historical crafts in action as members of spinning and weaving guilds from surrounding counties demonstrate crafts that were once practiced in every home. Come to watch and ask questions, or sign up for one of the workshops available in beginning spinning, rug braiding, basket weaving, or wet felting. Students will leave the classes with a new drop spindle or an article they’ve made themselves: a historical fruit basket made from locally grown willow, a coaster braided from wool roving, or a beautiful scarf made from wool felted through silk. Even if you have never tried to make anything, the instructors are sure to bring out the artist hidden within you!
Children will have opportunities to learn and experiment in a tent all their own, filled with materials and equipment for weaving and felting projects, science experiments, art supplies, and activities just for fun. Parents will want to look over their shoulders as the children examine fibers under a microscope or discover what the down of a baby camel feels like. There won’t be any camels on hand, but friendly sheep, goats, llamas, rabbits, and alpacas will be ready to greet visitors. 4-H members will provide guided tours of the animal pens, where visitors can learn how to tell an alpaca from a llama and what sort of fibers come only from goats. Four times each day, professional sheep shearers will show us how it’s done.
No fiber festival would be complete without vendors, and the new CNY showcase will bring together vendors from all across New York State. Shoppers will experience a spinner’s or knitter’s paradise, with raw fleece, roving, and hand spun and hand dyed yarns. Handcrafted knitted, woven, crocheted, or felted articles will be on display. Handmade jewelry will be offered in several booths, and spindles, spinning wheels, and used looms will also be for sale. It can’t be too early to consider Christmas gifts for family members – or a gift for yourself!
The festival will run from 10:00 to 5:00 each day. Admission is $4 for adults; children under 12 are free. More information is available at www.cnyfiber.org and anyone with questions may call 315-899-7792. Come and celebrate a new family event in Central New York!
No fiber festival would be complete without vendors, and the new CNY showcase will bring together vendors from all across New York State. Shoppers will experience a spinner’s or knitter’s paradise, with raw fleece, roving, and hand spun and hand dyed yarns. Handcrafted knitted, woven, crocheted, or felted articles will be on display. Handmade jewelry will be offered in several booths, and spindles, spinning wheels, and used looms will also be for sale. It can’t be too early to consider Christmas gifts for family members – or a gift for yourself!
The festival will run from 10:00 to 5:00 each day. Admission is $4 for adults; children under 12 are free. More information is available at www.cnyfiber.org and anyone with questions may call 315-899-7792. Come and celebrate a new family event in Central New York!
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