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Shaker Woods: It’s in good hands
Gallery
By Jon Moffett
The arts-and-crafts festival is marking its 26th year.
COLUMBIANA — If you are looking for a handmade peanut butter and jelly spoon, look no further than the Shaker Woods Festival.
“I used to get in trouble when I was a kid for getting peanut butter in the jelly jar, and this is my answer to that problem,” said Tom Metz. “I figure that you can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with one piece of equipment.”
Metz, a native of Newcomers- town in southern Ohio, has been making wooden spoons and other products for 25 years and is spending his 22nd year at the festival.
“The people are enthusiastic; they’re appreciative of buying things handmade,” Metz said. “They’ve always been really nice to me, and I feel really lucky to be here.”
Metz is one of many vendors celebrating the festival’s 26th year. It continues the next two weekends off of state Route 7 in Columbiana.
As at some fairs, patrons can buy anything from brooms and jewelry to handbags and lawn decorations, all made by hand. One distinct difference between the Shaker Woods Festival and other craft shows or fairs is the dress code for the vendors; patrons are met by greeters and vendors in authentic Shaker clothing.
Sue Ferguson, promoter and owner of the festival, said the goal was to make the festival as authentic as possible.
“When we started the show, we wanted something different and authentic,” Ferguson said. “We like the way the Shakers were back in the 1700s — hands to work, hearts to God — and these folks come in here and make these things with their own hands, so we wanted the Shaker costumes because they show that with your hands, you can make beautiful work.”
Not only are the works beautiful, but so is the atmosphere, said vendor Debbie Bacorn, who sells goods with her sister-in-law of the same name.
“First of all, we like the setting, and it fits our wares that we sell,” Bacorn said. “It’s a nice environment, and nice people come here.”
Some of those people, like Julie Jennings, a Salem resident, make the trip annually. Jennings has been to the past five festivals.
“I came just to look at unique things and the creativity that people have,” said Jennings.
Although it may seem stressful to try to sell handmade goods, vendor Cheryl Heinz said it’s relaxing to be part of the festival.
“It’s fun,” said Heinz, who sells embroidered goods. “Everything is just so calming; it’s comfortable.”
As well as goods to purchase, the festival also treats customers to a vast array of food, many of which are cooked over open flames. Patrons can enjoy foods that range from pirogis and popcorn to ice cream and fried pickles. Live music is also performed.
Ferguson said she got the idea for the festival after she and her husband had a successful apple butter festival in 1982.
“We had a little market ... and had an apple butter festival,” said Ferguson. “From that, we had six crafters, and it was mentioned to us about maybe starting up something on our land, which was all farmland at the time, and we started.
“The first year, we had about 20,000 people and 60 crafters, and from then, it’s just grown every year into this beautiful place.”