In early September, rocks, flower beds and public structures in Salida will sport knitted, crocheted and woven wrappers, turning the town into a kaleidoscope of colorful yarn bombs. Storefronts will exhibit displays created by local fiber artists. Everyone gets into the spirit of the Salida Fiber Festival, which will take place Sept. 12 and 13 in Riverside Park.
More than 50 vendors will showcase their creations this year, the festival’s 16th, says Beth Scully, president of the volunteer-run festival.
“We have a plethora of vendors coming from Colorado and all the nearby states, and one from out of the country,” Scully says.
They’ll exhibit everything from exotic yarns, dyes and looms to finished garments and fiber works of art. Artists will demonstrate how they weave intricate patterns on their looms and make unique items such as felted dryer balls that turn into works of art, and festival patrons can get hands-on lessons and tips on fiber crafts. In an activity tent just for kids, youngsters can learn how to braid and make necklaces.
The festival kicks off at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, with the opening of an exhibition at the SteamPlant Theater and Event Center, 200 W. Sackett Ave., a block from the festival site. Visitors can enjoy food and beverages on the plaza, vote for their favorite pieces and view two short films about how fiber art supported communities in Australia and Bangladesh. The exhibit will be open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the festival.
Models will walk through the festival grounds wearing vendors’ creations at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturday and at 11 a.m. Sunday. At noon both days, weavers, spinners, knitters and other fiber artists will staff a “Help from the Experts” booth to answer questions and show people new to fiber art how they can get started. A silent auction tent will display items from every vendor and many local businesses, with proceeds helping to support next year’s festival.
Visitors also can vote in the Window into Fiber Arts, a contest in which participating Salida shops and restaurants are featuring displays that local fiber artists created. The winning business and artist will receive prizes.
“We try to get as much community involvement as we can,” Scully says.
The festival traces its origins to a group of Salida women who were big fans of wall hangings, knitting, crocheting and macrame. Inspired after a trip to the Taos Wool Festival, they decided it would be fun to create a little festival for their own arts and crafts. In 2011, they set up tables and tents in Riverside Park and held the inaugural Salida Fiber Festival. It was an immediate hit and has become a Salida tradition and one of the largest festivals of its type in the West.
Festival-goers should be aware that F Street is closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate a pedestrian plaza. Parking is available on downtown streets and in public lots within about five blocks of the festival site. Visitors can find a parking map on the festival website.
Saturday Sept. 12: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday Sept. 13: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Exhibition: SteamPlant Theater, 200 W. Sackett Ave.