Attention knitters, spinners, weavers, rug-hookers and basket weavers, this show is for you.
Woodstock has its first Fleece Festival next Saturday (Oct. 17) with a chance to see "live fibre animals,'' such as alpacas, sheep, angora rabbits and goats.
The fest, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Woodstock Fairgrounds (875 Nellis St.), promotes natural wool production as a renewable resource to create quality long-lasting products, said organizer Linda Curry.
There will be demonstrations of knitting machines including antique sock knitters, spinning wheels, basket-weaving, hand-felting, rug-hooking and an art exhibit of fibre-producing animals.
Workshops include hand-felting techniques, traditional rug-hooking, knitting, rag rug weaving, basket-weaving and fibre dyeing.
A tri-angular loom workshop will show how to weave shawls. They can be hand-knitted or hand-woven using handspun yarn of animal or plant origin.
Alpaca fibre is admired for its soft, highly durable, stain-and odor-resistant qualities and the warmth of garments made from it, Curry said, noting there are 22 natural colours.
Vendors will have items including raw fleece, hand-dyed, handspun yarns from fibre-producing animals, even camels, fibre arts supplies, books, patterns, spinning wheels and finished goods.
There will also be educational activities for children put on by the Woodstock Museum National Historic Site.
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Stratford's Heritage Weekend happens on Oct. 17 and 18 in the city with many of the finest conserved 19th century homes, churches, commercial and civic buildings.
"It will be a weekend filled with activities including an antiques fair, vintage car show, heritage workshops and a guided ghost tour,'' said Cathy Rehberg of Stratford Tourism.
There will also be guided Stratford strolls and tours of heritage churches and notable heritage homes.
Various heritage sites will be open, including the new Stratford-Perth Museum, Fryfogel Inn east of Shakespeare and Brocksden School Museum.
Then DocFest takes place Oct. 22 to 25 with an impressive lineup of documentaries.
Actor William Shatner will be there for the opening night of Gonzo Ballet on Oct. 22 at the 8 p.m. screening in the city hall.
Throughout the month, several Stratford restaurants celebrate the fall harvest with "field-to-chef menus that source ingredients from within 100 miles.''
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Marking 26 years of "artistic spirit,'' the Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour is on this weekend through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Barrie, Orillia and Ontario's Lake Country.
Free, self-guided tours of artists' studios "offer a unique opportunity to see the original creations and unique studio settings of some of Canada's finest artists and craftspeople,'' said publicist Kathy Hunt.
More than 40 artists at 25 studios will show paintings and prints, photography, pottery, stained glass, wire, metal and stone sculpture, jewelry, wood carvings and turning, basketry, garden art, designer clothing and accessories, and even Teddy Bears.
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They're busy in Waterford, south of Brantford, preparing 1,500 jack'o lanterns to form the annual giant pyramid for Pumpkinfest.
The carved and lighted pumpkins make an impressive site for the event from Oct. 16 to 18 while homes and businesses are decorated for the occasion.
Put on by the Waterford Lions and Lioness, the fest includes a "spook house,'' old car show, parade, soap box derby, craft show, variety show and musical entertainment, a midway and meals at various churches and halls.
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"Fall on the Farm'' is on this weekend through Monday at Fanshawe Pioneer Village in London.
"Watch as farm families prepare for the coming winter with the harvest of the corn crop, textile arts and wood stove cooking,'' said Sheila Johnson, executive director.
Coming up are Haunted Village Hayrides with a preview next Friday (Oct. 16) and shows Oct. 17, 18, 22 to 25 and 29 and 30.
IF YOU GO
Woodstock Fleece Festival tickets are $6 ( children to age 15, free). Details: www.fleecefestival.com; fleecefestival@yahoo.com; (519) 539-2575.
Stratford Heritage Festival details and those for Docfest and the restaurant menus are at www.fallforstratford.com; 1-800-561-SWAN.
Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour information: www.images-studio-tour.com; (705) 728-3691.
Pumpkinfest:www.pumpkinfest.com; pumkinfest@pumpkinfest.com; (519) 443-0113.
Fanshawe Pioneer Village: www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca; (519) 457-1296.
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