Shaker Woods rustic crafts fest returns

Staff report

COLUMBIANA

Shaker Woods Festival, a nationally recognized craft festival, will return for three consecutive weekends.

Now in its 33rd year, the festival will be Saturday and Sunday and Aug. 15-16 and 22-23 at the Shaker Woods grounds, 44337 County Line Road.

The festival, founded to honor the 18th century Shaker community, features more than 200 craftspeople, representing artists and crafts from across the country, plus constant live entertainment and many food vendors.

Crafters demonstrate their unique skills without the use of modern conveniences — not even electricity.

The diverse crafts include basket weaving, blacksmithing, broom making, 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.

Each juried craftsperson, dressed in Shaker period clothing, offers wares in a cool, manicured, wooded area. The level grounds feature crushed gravel footpaths for easy walking and access from acres of free parking.

The name “Shaker Woods Festival” is derived from the Shaker community, 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 festival chooses crafters whose work carries on the tradition of fine workmanship.

An extensive selection of food will feature everything from soups and sandwiches to complete meals — some cooked over an open fire. Snack foods and desserts are also available.

Entertainment, from bluegrass to cloggers, will be on all three stages throughout the festival.

Darryl Gatlin, a native of Beaver County, returns to Shaker Wood on Saturday and Sunday and Aug. 15 and 16, performing on The Meeting House Stage.

Making his festival debut on the Simple Gifts Stage Aug. 15 and 16 is classically-trained pianist Matthew Ball, known as the Boogie-Woogie Kid.

The country music band Black Horse will be featured on the Garden Stage on Aug. 22.

Returning is country music singer/songwriter Cody Gibson performing on Aug. 22 and 23 on the Meeting House Stage.

Robert Griffing, a painter of the Eastern Woodland Indians of the 18th century, will be on hand and signing autographs on Saturday.