On the holiday weekend my family went to Kutztown Folk Festival-the oldest folklife festival in the US.
It was first held in the summer of 1950. Three of America’s leading folklorists presented the first Kutztown Folk Festival using a unique hands-on approach that let “outsiders” experience firsthand what it means to be part of a Pennsylvania Dutch family. Key to the event’s success was the ability of the festival’s “founding fathers” to organize the area’s local citizens and coordinate their participation in the festival. These were not actors, but actual Pennsylvania Dutch natives demonstrating their everyday way of life.
The stand that interested my kids most was the one presenting old time handmade toys and games. They had so much playing with the simplest games possible, I thought how much money is wasted on expensive kids toys these days.
What impressed me most was the variety of craftsmen offering their art work pieces for sale. I ended up buying a wooden hex sign-a traditional element of every Pennsylvania Dutch house.
But one artist stood out from the crowd. It’s a pig. The snout friends had beds and a playground area set up for them. It looked like a pigcare.
The pig art is generally called Pigcasso. It’s a real deal.
Besides cute pig painters I loved the rooster decoration made out of the metal and wall tapestry pictures.
There was a funny moment when I saw an owl picture signed with the name of my neighbor. I texted her straight away wondering if I didn’t know about her talent, but it turned out to be another person with an identical first and last name! Nevertheless, I discovered a new local artist whose work I like. There is something magical about this owl! Its simplicity and vibrant colors impressed me. P.S. My husband found the owl terribly painted, but I beg to differ.
The cherry on the top of our festival day was visiting the Quilt Barn. When we walked in, we sent all our blessings to whoever made the barn air conditioned since it was hot and humid outside. To say that I was surprised is to say nothing. Each quilt looked different: they came in all sizes and ornaments, some of them displayed animals or birds. I noticed that apart from geometric patterns, peacocks, bears and deer are the most popular animals depicted on the Pennsylvania Dutch quilts.
On Sunday, July 9th there will be a silent auction where people will bid for the quilts. Starting price for a quilt is somewhere around $1000.
Visit the official website for more information on the silent bid auction https://www.kutztownfestival.com/quilts
We were on our way heading to the car when I saw the cutest little doggy. My elder daughter asked the owner for permission to take a photo of a little Sophie, who was proudly sitting in her stroller with a bowl of water and a small fan above her head.
I still have no doubts that the US is the dogs’ heaven on Earth!
#folkfestival, #kutztown, #kutztownfolkfestival
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