Heritage of fiber arts celebrated
Staff report
FALMOUTH — The three-day Kentucky Wool Festival — Pendleton County’s largest event of the year — opens 10 a.m. Friday with live music, a mile of paved paths winding through a variety of food stands, a mass of arts and craft vendors and, of course, a flock of fiber artisans.
There also will be demonstrations of sheep shearing, border collies, heritage games and wool spinning.
“Since its beginning in 1983, the Kentucky Wool Festival has been more than just an event — it’s a gathering place for friends, neighbors, and visitors from across the region,” said Tami Vater, Pendleton County director of economic and tourism development.
“The Kentucky Wool Festival offers an affordable way to enjoy an authentic Kentucky experience.”
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Wool Festival Grounds, 48 Concord Caddo Road. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 7 to 18, and 6 and younger are admitted free. Three-day passes are also available for $20 at local banks in Falmouth and Butler, and passes are available at the gates Friday.
Only cash is accepted for admission; credit and debit cards cannot be used. Many vendors also only take cash as well.
A Wool Festival guide was published in the Sept. 23 Falmouth Outlook and Sept. 24 Bracken County News.
Copies of the 40-page guide are available at the newspaper offices.
Other notes about the festival this weekend:
TAKE THE BUS
To avoid congested parking problems on the grounds, free shuttle buses will be available. Festival-goers may park at Pendleton County High School, 2359 U.S. 27, Falmouth, or hop on board a shuttle bus at the Pendleton County Courthouse parking lot, 233 Main St., Falmouth.
Shuttle buses will be run every half hour from 10 a.m. to approximately 10 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. Sunday until the festival closes at 6 p.m.
There will be no shuttle buses on Friday.
There are no public restrooms at the shuttle bus stops.
STROLLERS AND WHEELCHAIRS
There is about a mile of pavement throughout the festival grounds. The crafts tents are on grass and accessibility depends on the weather. During a dry festival, there is usually no issue with wheelchairs and strollers. During rainy seasons the entrances can become hard to maneuver.
Handicap vehicle parking is available, but not guaranteed, depending on crowd size. If handicap spaces are gone, parking attendants will find the closest available parking spot.
PET POLICY
Due to the nature of the festival and the many livestock and animal exhibits, pets are not permitted on festival grounds.
HISTORY
A small group of interested citizens met in January 1983 with the aim to create a unique festival. With the guidance of a University of Kentucky Extension specialist, it was decided to look to Pendleton County’s past for the theme.
The Kentucky Wool Festival debuted in the first weekend of October 1983.
The committee lists among its goals for each year:
• To hold an event the first Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October.
• Promote sheep, wool products and the local community.
• Have heritage demonstrations going on throughout the festival.
• Offer activities for all age groups. Maintain a family-oriented atmosphere.
• Provide an opportunity for community and school organizations, crafts people, and individuals to raise money as an alternative of door-to-door sales or fundraising drives.
• Entertain the public by providing an environment where the people can meet, have fun, hear live music, and learn about our history.
ONLINE
The music schedule, event information and more details are available on the Kentucky Wool Festival website, www.kywoolfest.org.