QUILCENE — Worthington Park in Quilcene will be the site of the first Fiber Festival: From Sheep to Shawl on Saturday.
The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Worthington Park at 151 W. Columbia St. in Quilcene. Parking will be free, courtesy of the Quilcene Historical Museum.
“The Quilcene Historical Museum and Fiber and Clay are working together to host the festival celebrating the diverse talents in the region, said Brian Cullin, Quilcene Historical Museum.
“We will for the first time utilize every aspect of Worthington Park — the newly restored Victorian mansion, museum, outdoor theatre, historic barn and 10 beautiful acres. There will truly be something here for everyone,” he said in a press release.
Among the activities planned on the grounds are sheep shearing at the foot of the historic 1915 barn, alpacas on leads in the meadow and a wool waulking performance and demonstration of an old Gaelic tradition of fulling woven cloth.
Farm and shop vendors will be on hand, selling, among other items, hand knit, crochet, woven, and felted goods as well as hand dyed and hand spun yarn, wooden tools and yarn bowls.
Visitors will be able to learn about wool processing, fleece cleaning, carding, spinning and dyeing.
Weaving songs will be provided by wandering Scottish fiddler, Derek Stallman, in a garden setting, near the Hamilton Pond.
Heating stations and delights served by A&H Curbside Grill are planned.
In the museum, visitors will be able to take part in weaving a community rug on a large loom. They can learn about wet felting, knitting, crocheting and weaving — including Native American spinning and weaving traditions — and hear information from local guilds and spinning wheel makers.
Visitors can see how wool is processed and how the use of natural fibers support the environment, organizers said.
In the mansion will be raffles, traditional music and large walking spinning 1860 wheel and locker hooking demonstrations, as well weaving, knitting and crocheting.
“The Quilcene Fiber Festival will be an experience for all,” said Lise Solvang of Fiber and Clay.
“It will take you back in time, and bring you home to today.”
For more information, see https://www.worthingtonparkquilcene.org and Worthington Park Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WorthingtonParkQuilcene.
