Autumn in the Ozarks hosts many craft and harvest fairs, but one festival spins its threads around the art of fiber. Ozark Folkways will host the annual Fiber Fest on October 4 – 5 at its historic grounds of the Muxen Building on Highway 71 in Winslow. The annual event is a free, family-friendly event. Guests range from curious about fiber arts to lifelong artisans. There is something for everyone.

Fiber Fest brings together artisans, musicians, and local communities. Together, they celebrate the heritage of crochet, quilting, lace-making, and other fiber traditions. These traditions may no longer be a part of everyday survival, but still offer a way for people to work with their hands.

Fiber arts includes creative media using thread. Well-known skills include sewing, lace making, felting, quilting, spinning, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. Practitioners or not, fans of fiber creations can have fun and connect with others at Fiber Fest.

New this year, the festival will introduce two featured artist presentations. One is a talk and demonstration by West Fork knitter, Jane Foster. The other is a session with Wedington quilter, Carol Bruce.

Visitors can watch demonstrations. These include lace making, wet felting, meditative stitching, wool spinning, knitting, crochet, and weaving. Guests can also meet skilled artists showing their craft. There will also be an exhibit of local entrants and a silent auction that directly supports local arts.

The festival grounds will have about 20 vendors, a tulle waterfall, and a registered historic school building. Food will be served by volunteers of the neighboring Our Lady of the Ozarks Shrine. It’s the only Catholic shrine in the state, and also a historic building. The grounds will be full of sights, sounds, and tastes.  Visitors can also expect music and dance. There will be jam sessions and a wandering troubadour-style musician wandering the grounds. For dance, guests can watch the Northwest Arkansas Historic Dancers. Fiber Fest offers two full days of modern experiences rooted in the heritage of fiber.

For more information, please visit https://www.ozarkfolkway.org or contact info@ozarkfolkways.org.

About Ozark Folkways: Ozark Folkways is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, development, instruction, and celebration of regional arts and crafts. We foster appreciation and economic use of heritage skills through workshops, events, and a gallery.

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