HOBBIT, FAIRY FESTIVAL SLATED

Tickets remain on sale for the Woodland Hobbit and Fairy Festival, a unique event to be held Saturday, June 14, at Hemlock Springs Historic Crafts and Cultural Arts Center on Mitcheltree Hollow Lane in Keating Summit.

Purpose of the festival is to bring out the artist in each person through exposure to the natural world. Music will fill the air and storytellers will share their ancient art. Participants are encouraged to dress in hobbit, fairy, elf or other woodland attire.

There will be fairy tea parties, a puppet theater production, plus arts and crafts activities for children and adults. Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults. Volunteers are welcome and vendor space available.

"This will be a day of fun and fantasy," said the organizer, Bonnie Wood, who has been the driving force behind the Hemlock Springs facility. "Half of the fun is seeing the different costumes people come up with."

Among activities will be painting red oak trees, journeys through a giant garden of eight acres, watching the film "Lost in the Woods," and listening to a tale about hidden gold supposedly located near Parker's Tomb in Gardeau.

There will also be a bag piper, flutists and tea parties. Children will sketch drawings in journals to record their findings in nature.

Wood encourages those participating to wear sturdy shoes, as there is uneven terrain. A shuttle will transport people from the SGE building on Reed Run Road to Hemlock Springs.

Additional information is available by calling Jennifer at 331-0854 or 642-7635.