Columbiana – Eastern Ohio’s No. 1 family craft festival is celebrating its 29th year with three exciting weekends: August 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28, 2011. Shopping, food and entertainment are featured during this six-day event.
The Shaker Woods Festival, founded to honor the 18th century Shaker community, offers more than 200 craftspeople, representing artists and crafts from all across the country.
“It’s hard to believe that Shaker Woods Festival will be celebrating its 29th year! We are so blessed to be continuing our journey and we have so many wonderful people to thank for our success,” said Sue Ferguson, who along with her husband Sam, are promoters of the festival. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank our outstanding craftspeople, food vendors and overall staff at Shaker Woods Festival. Without the hard work of all these individuals, we would not be what we are today. We also would like to thank each and every one of our visitors who year after year have made wonderful memories coming together with family and friends at Shaker Woods Festival.”
In the early 1980s, the Fergusons were concerned that a time might come when the sale of their farm products might not cover the rising cost of producing them. While deciding how to extend the land into a more profitable enterprise, the Fergusons hosted an Apple Butter festival in 1982. That first fall festival has blossomed into the highly acclaimed annual Shaker Woods Festival. Shortly thereafter, Sue Ferguson researched the Shaker history and incorporated it into the festivals.
The Shaker community was a group of industrious and devout people whose inventions include the washing machine, spinning wheel and flat broom, as well as clothespins and packaged seeds. Shaker furniture is known for its simple, beautiful lines and fine workmanship. Each year, the Fergusons choose crafters whose work carries on the tradition of exceptionally fine workmanship.
Each juried craftsperson, dressed in Shaker period clothing, offers his/her wares in a cool, manicured, wooded area. The level grounds feature crushed gravel footpaths for easy walking and access from acres of free parking.
Crafters demonstrate their unique skills without the use of modern conveniences–not even electricity. The diverse crafts include basket weaving, blacksmithing, broommaking, leather work, paintings, pottery, quilts, custom garden stones, plants, toys, jewelry and woodwork. The items for sale range from small miniatures to rooms of custom-made furniture and hand-carved masterpieces. Some of the crafters exhibit only at the Shaker Woods Festival.
An extensive selection of food is also available, from soups and sandwiches to complete meals — some cooked over an open fire. Snack foods and delicious desserts are also available.
Entertainment, from bluegrass to cloggers, is featured on all three stages throughout the festival.
Darryl Gatlin, a native of Beaver County, PA, returns to Shaker Woods on August 13, 14, 27 and 28, performing on The Meeting House Stage. His professional singing voice is sure to charm audiences and keep the fans coming back for more.
Returning August 20 and 21 on the Garden Stage is the uniquely talented David Young. His relaxing music has enriched people’s lives for more than 10 years. Playing two Renaissance flutes (recorders) simultaneously in harmony, David creates a soothing, unforgettable sound. More than 500,000 copies of his CDs have been sold in North America alone.
The Free Spirit Cloggers from northeast Ohio, performing August 13 & 14 on the Garden Stage and under the direction of Jean Baird, clog to a variety of music including traditional clogging music, country and pop. There are 33 dancers on the show team that range in age from 8 years old to retired folks! Come on out and see them and maybe you’ll get the urge to “learn to clog.”
Additional performers include Vanessa Campagna, Jim Haner “The Banjoman,” Hot Pursuit, Blue Moon Rising, Blue Shades and Davis & McKay.
Robert Griffing will be signing autographs on August 13 & 14. An artist, Robert describes himself as a painter of the Eastern Woodland Indians of the 18th century. His work focuses on a time that marked the beginning years of chaos and uncertainty for the Woodland tribes as they struggled to survive the European encroachment.
Now in its 19th year, the Children’s Order offers one-hour classes for youth. Classes include “Beginner Knitting,” “Working with Gourds” and “Sunday Toys.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Daily general admission tickets ($7.00 for adults) will be sold at the gate. Children 12 and under are admitted free of charge. No pets or alcoholic beverages are permitted on the grounds. Children’s strollers are not recommended.
Shaker Woods grounds are located at 44337 County Line Road in Columbiana, Ohio, one mile north of the intersection with Route 14, and only minutes from the Ohio Turnpike and the Pennsylvania state line.
Additional information may be obtained by calling (330) 482-0214 or by writing to: Shaker Woods Festival 217 State Route 7 Columbiana, OH 44408.
