Shaker Woods festival makes annual return

COLUMBIANA — The Shaker Woods Festival will be held this Saturday and Sunday and the following two weekends, Aug. 18-19 and Aug. 25-26.

The festival, founded to honor the 18th century Shaker community, offers more than 200 craftspeople, representing artists and crafts from all over the country. 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. Only crafters who se work carries on the Shaker tradition are chosen for the festival.

Crafters, dressed in period clothing, will demonstrate their skills without the use of modern conveniences, not even electricity.

Parking is free, and an extensive selection of food is available, many of which are cooked over an open fire. Entertainment, from bluegrass to cloggers, is featured on all three stages throughout the festival, which is held in a cool, wooded area. Performers include Darryl Gatlin, David Young, New Wave Cloggers, Silver Eagle Band, and Dottie Aikens Reynolds and the Tumbleweed Band.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is $6.50; children 12 and under are free. 

Shaker Woods is located on Route 7, one mile north of the intersection of Route 14 in Columbiana. For more information, go to Shakerwoods.com.