(Sept. 28, 2017) The Julia A. Purnell Museum in Snow Hill is inviting the community to attend its traditional arts celebration, FiberFest!, this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m.
Museum Executive Director Dr. Cindy Byrd said the event has several new wrinkles added to expand its appeal.
“We’ve tried to focus a little more on our activities and demonstrations this year,” she said.
Although knitting supplies and other items, such as jewelry and pottery, will be available for purchase, Byrd said event organizers want to enlighten minds not just lighten wallets.
“We welcome any vendors, but I tried to make it more about our mission and education as opposed to shopping,” she said.
Children can look forward to interacting with a number of furry friends. There will be a sheep-shearing demonstration, which has become a staple during the annual celebration. Also, for the first time, a baby alpaca will be on hand, “which is something different and adorable,” Byrd said.
“A lot of people aren’t familiar with the animal so it’s another chance to see a wool-bearing creature,” she said.
Starting at 11:30 a.m., Monika Lilley will conduct a workshop to demonstrate how silk is produced.
“She brings the silk cocoons and people can see how the silk is extracted and made into silk thread,” she said. “As usual, we’ll have people there spinning and knitting and doing those kind of works.”
Also new this year is musical entertainment.
“Our local rock and roll king, Nick [Haglich], is going to come and play at 2 p.m.,” she said. “He’s going to be playing outside.”
Besides listening to a set of choice rock covers by Haglich and viewing artisan demonstrations, children who attend can also create a keepsake to take home.
“We have two kid’s craft activities … where they can make a craft and take it with them,” Byrd said. “It’s very family friendly especially with the animals.”
The afternoon event will also cater to empty stomachs.
“We’ve always had a bake sale, but this will be the first year that we’ll have hot dogs and more substantial food,” she said.
Museum admission will be free on Saturday and Byrd said numerous guided tours will be provided.
“I will do them throughout the day as we get people interested,” she said.
FiberFest! also marks the end of the month-long Delmarva Needle Art Show and Competition with prize ribbons awarded at 1 p.m. This year two categories have been added to appeal to a wider audience.
“We’ve added a children’s category for the first time so that the kids aren’t competing against the adults,” she said. “We also have the Heirloom Pride category.”
Byrd said the latter category could encompass treasured items from home collections.
“They don’t need to necessarily make them [and] they could be antique,” she said. “We’re giving people a chance to display and enjoy some of the community’s fiber art treasures that are out there.”
The day concludes at 4 p.m.
“It’s a fun day for everybody, even if you’re not a needle artist or fiber artist yourself,” she said. “If you’re interested in local history, it’s great for families and people of all ages.”
For more information, call the museum, located at 208 West Market Street, at 410-632-0501 or visit www.purnellmuseum.com.
Museum Executive Director Dr. Cindy Byrd said the event has several new wrinkles added to expand its appeal.
“We’ve tried to focus a little more on our activities and demonstrations this year,” she said.
Although knitting supplies and other items, such as jewelry and pottery, will be available for purchase, Byrd said event organizers want to enlighten minds not just lighten wallets.
“We welcome any vendors, but I tried to make it more about our mission and education as opposed to shopping,” she said.
Children can look forward to interacting with a number of furry friends. There will be a sheep-shearing demonstration, which has become a staple during the annual celebration. Also, for the first time, a baby alpaca will be on hand, “which is something different and adorable,” Byrd said.
“A lot of people aren’t familiar with the animal so it’s another chance to see a wool-bearing creature,” she said.
Starting at 11:30 a.m., Monika Lilley will conduct a workshop to demonstrate how silk is produced.
“She brings the silk cocoons and people can see how the silk is extracted and made into silk thread,” she said. “As usual, we’ll have people there spinning and knitting and doing those kind of works.”
Also new this year is musical entertainment.
“Our local rock and roll king, Nick [Haglich], is going to come and play at 2 p.m.,” she said. “He’s going to be playing outside.”
Besides listening to a set of choice rock covers by Haglich and viewing artisan demonstrations, children who attend can also create a keepsake to take home.
“We have two kid’s craft activities … where they can make a craft and take it with them,” Byrd said. “It’s very family friendly especially with the animals.”
The afternoon event will also cater to empty stomachs.
“We’ve always had a bake sale, but this will be the first year that we’ll have hot dogs and more substantial food,” she said.
Museum admission will be free on Saturday and Byrd said numerous guided tours will be provided.
“I will do them throughout the day as we get people interested,” she said.
FiberFest! also marks the end of the month-long Delmarva Needle Art Show and Competition with prize ribbons awarded at 1 p.m. This year two categories have been added to appeal to a wider audience.
“We’ve added a children’s category for the first time so that the kids aren’t competing against the adults,” she said. “We also have the Heirloom Pride category.”
Byrd said the latter category could encompass treasured items from home collections.
“They don’t need to necessarily make them [and] they could be antique,” she said. “We’re giving people a chance to display and enjoy some of the community’s fiber art treasures that are out there.”
The day concludes at 4 p.m.
“It’s a fun day for everybody, even if you’re not a needle artist or fiber artist yourself,” she said. “If you’re interested in local history, it’s great for families and people of all ages.”
For more information, call the museum, located at 208 West Market Street, at 410-632-0501 or visit www.purnellmuseum.com.