Third Annual Fiber Festival in Oxford

From The Oxford Historical Society: The Oxford Historical Society will hold their third annual Fiber Festival on April 14 and 15, from ten to four on Saturday and noon to four on Sunday. Admission to the event is free and open to the public.

The event will feature new work on the Jensen Farm Barn loom which dates back to the 1700's. The event marks another milestone in the Society's efforts to preserve Oxford's historic rural character and to promote interest in our organization through hands-on participation in traditional crafts.

There will be live fiber-producing animals displayed, including sheep, goats, alpacas and rabbits. The event will include a demonstration of sheep shearing by Ron East on Saturday and goat shearing on Sunday.

We are seeking folks to demonstrate all phases of wool and fleece preparation, and other fiber arts. We would like to have demonstrations and instruction on the use of drop spindles. We also need volunteer spinners, weavers, felters, tape loom weavers, etc. to show their crafts at the event. There will be no charge to exhibitors who participate, and demonstrators may offer their hand-made fiber crafts for sale, including woven, knitted, crocheted and felted items, etc.

The festival will be held at the Twitchell-Rowland Homestead, 60 Towner Lane, Oxford, on April 14 and 15. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Demonstrators may bring their own pop up tent in which to demonstrate their craft and sell their hand-made creations. There will be limited indoor space for demonstrations. In order to be sure that there is enough space available, registration for crafters will be accepted in the order received. If you are interested, or have a suggestion of someone to invite, please contact dottie@oxford-historical-society.org for a registration form. (Phone 203-910-4574)

Image via the Oxford Historical Society: Jody Bishel, docent at the Derby Historical Society's Mansfield House, will demonstrate the preparation and use of natural dyes in Colonial fabrics.