Each fall, many look forward to all the fiber festivals that take place around the country. One of my favorites is the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival, better known to fiber fanatics by one word: Rhinebeck.
Sadly, due to the Coronavirus, organizers have decided to cancel the in-person event and will instead hold a virtual event.
I am sure this was a tough decision. People begin plans to attend the next year’s event before the current year’s event is even finished. I’ve been on a waiting list at a few hotels for years in an effort to try and stay the entire weekend. I went one year with my husband and stayed at an Air B&B – NEVER doing that again.
This is also the one time per year fiber enthusiasts get to see many vendors that come from a great distance. A favorite vendor of mine is Susan’s Fiber Shop from Wisconsin. Her booth is a fiber wonderland! Carolina Homespun from San Francisco is another vendor I can’t wait to see. It was at last year’s Rhinebeck where I had the pleasure meeting Maurice of Dreaming Robots, the creator of the Eel Wheel. A visit to Rhinebeck isn’t complete without trying out the latest beautiful wheels at Golding Fiber Tools.
Oh, and the food! Apple crisp a la mode, the great coffee at Taste Budd’s, and don’t forget all the wind and whiskey tasting!
While I am sure the organizers will do a great job with the virtual event, I will look forward to 2021.
