WINDSOR

June 3, 2011

Fairgrounds will host 11th Fiber Frolic

BY MICHAEL SHEPHERD, Staff Writer

WINDSOR -- Llamas, alpacas, goats, rabbits -- and the farmers who raise them for fiber spinning and weaving -- will descend on the Windsor Fairgrounds this weekend for the 11th annual Maine Fiber Frolic.

Betty Stover, the owner of Spinnakees' Farm in Augusta, said the event is laid back and is "one of the best fiber shows around" next to September's Common Ground Fair in Unity.

The event will be held Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.

Its schedule promises a bevy of activities, including rug hooking, knitting, handling, carding, crocheting, shearing and skirting demonstrations.

Also planned are shows and all-day sales of farmers' fleeces. Buyers are expected to see 300 varieties of raw unprocessed fleece, which is sold by event officials for farmers with a 10 percent commission, according to the event's website, fiberfrolic.com.

Event chairwoman Nancy Williams, who raises sheep and produces yarn in Waldoboro, said the event draws approximately 2,000 attendees when weather is fair.

Finished goods, spinning equipment and fiber art supplies will also be for sale, Williams said. Stover said the equipment sale is a distinguishable piece of the event -- something that's not available at Common Ground.

"We also like to call ourselves a family friendly event," she said.

A marionette show is scheduled for Saturday and a special kids' area will be open both days.

"Kids pick up the things we do quicker. They don't care if they can't do it at first," Stover said.

Stover said she has noticed more enthusiasm in central Maine for pastimes like home spinning, rug hooking and raising animals for fiber.

"I think people are getting back to doing things for themselves," Stover said. "It's finding the breed for yourself -- it's learning. You find that out by going to shows like this."

Michael Shepherd -- 621-5662

mshepherd@mainetoday.com

The 11th annual Maine Fiber Frolic will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Windsor Fairgrounds.

A detailed schedule of events is available at fiberfrolic.com. General information is available by email at info@fiberfrolic.com.

Prospective vendors or exhibitors can contact event chairwoman Nancy Williams at 832-5162.

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