NEW GLOUCESTER — Throughout the day on Saturday, June 28, Shaker Village will present a Folk Festival featuring free, traditional, Shaker-style craft demonstrations including “From Fiber to Finish” by the R&R Spinners and blacksmithing by Tim Greene.
There will be free tractor-drawn wagon rides and a sale of homemade Shaker apple fritters.
There will be a selection of high-quality, traditional craft workshops taught by skilled instructors.
“Rose Water & Other Vintage Flavors” ($40) by Shaker herbalist Betsey Ann Golon will explore the many uses of the Shakers’ famous rose water, mint water and peach water that has been produced for more than 175 years.
In “Gel-Print Botanicals: Greeting Cards” ($55), participants with local artist Bonnie Faulkner will hand-print a series of cards from botanicals harvested from the Shakers’ gardens in constant cultivation since 1783.
“Making a Shaker Style Gathering Basket” ($75) with basketmaker Pat Libby allows participants to become skilled in the generations-old Shaker art of basketry; and “Learning to Hook” ($65) by Parris House Woolwork’s Beth Miller will feature a small mat with floral geometric design inspired from Sister Eliza Jeffers’ (1868-1955) original hooked rugs.
Preregistration required for workshops.
Additionally, Shaker Village’s naturalist Carolyn Fensore will lead “Nature’s Outdoor Classroom,” a 2 1/2 hour trek at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. through the Shakers’ property in which the mysteries of the Maine woods will be explored – from plants, animals and geology to Shaker land use and history. Cost is $8 for adults, $2 for children.
The day’s events will conclude with an sunset concert in the historic 1794 Shaker Meeting House, where the renowned Portland String Quartet will perform the last of a series of three evening concerts of the Maine Festival of American Music (June 25-28) featuring Mozart and composer Stephen Gryc. Adults $25, seniors $20, under 21 free.
Shaker Village is at 707 Shaker Road, Route 26. For more information about individual programs, including start times, reservations and registration, contact 207-926-4597, usshakers@aol.com, www.shaker.lib.me.us or follow on Facebook at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village.
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