By Gari Voss
2022 Fiber Festival
The weekend of August 20-21, 2002 really began on Wednesday for the 2022 Fiber Festival at the Allegan County Fairgrounds. That is when folks first arrived to participate in the first of 59 fiber arts workshops offered at this year’s festival. Beginning Friday, barns held a wide variety of fiber vendors and fiber artists from across the U.S. who shared their wares and techniques with approximately 3500 delighted participants and customers.
Festival Director Sue Parker shared that everyone had a great time. “There was positive feedback on the changes made. The weather held with just a little rain on Friday, the Saturday rain that did not interrupt anything, and the Sunday rain that came when vendors were packing up.”
A piece that Parker wanted to highlight was the animal competitions and shows. “The animals check in Friday with competitions on Saturday. We are especially proud of the kids who work with their animals through the year to participate at festival. The Sunday costume parade where the kids dress up their animals is a big event and lots of fun.”
Karen Cote, the Kids Activity Chair, stated enthusiastically, “This was a wonderful weekend! The classes have been great. Vendors, participants and festival goers have all felt this was the best weekend ever. The children’s activities were a bit different to allow for COVID, so tables where children would have participated in activities contained take home “How to” packets with materials and directions.”
Allegan, Speak Out! PRIDE Festival
The Allegan, Speak Up! Festivities began with storytelling at the Allegan District Library. It was standing room only as adults offered their seats to the families when the room reached capacity. The books had the children wondering why red kept looking blue and participating in a new version of the Wheels on the Bus”. The families and guides exited the library and meandered down to the Riverfront where vendors were completing set up and games were available on the grassy area.
The weather held until about 5:30pm when the downpour arrived. The walkways cleared as people headed for cover, but once the rain stopped, the grass area and walks began filling with those who wanted to watch the Drag Queen Show by Beauty Beyond Drag Productions and hosted by DeeDee Chaunte.
Allegan Masonic Lodge Ice Cream Social
Approximately 100 individuals still had energy on Sunday afternoon to stop at the Masonic Lodge #111 to partake in ice cream with all the toppings. Mike Zeter gave a thank you to Gary Clark, On the Grid, Holiday Floral, Walmart, and several individuals who donated to this event. Just as the ice cream was being dished out, the sky opened with another down pour which hustled everyone inside.
Zeter shared that the Red Cross, Allegan County Community Action, Allegan Fire Department and EMS Life shared information and the young people to get up close and personal with the fire truck and ambulance.
Throughout the event, guests took time to visit with Masons and quite a few made donations. Zeter estimated, “We probably have around $500 from generous individuals. This will be used as we decide which organizations will receive contributions during the coming year.”
Other events
Rollin on the River brought music to the Riverfront on Friday evening as planned. The Allegan, Let’s Roll! Desk Chair Race was cancelled but donations can still be made to Safe Harbor Children’s Advocacy Center. Sassy Olive celebrated their 8th birthday on Saturday, but the Allegan Chapter of K’zoo Folklife’s “Good Times at the Gazebo” concert decided to cancel and will perform during the winter series at the Presbyterian Church.
As summer winds down, the streets of Allegan will miss the sounds of children on the splash pad and visitors wandering in and out of shops, but weekends will continue to bring new surprises. Then again, there is the Allegan County Fair from September 9th through September 17th – an annual event that should not be missed!