HOBBIT, FAIRY FESTIVAL TODAY

"There's an artist in each and every one of us."

So says Bonnie Wood, the brainchild behind a unique new event, the Woodland Hobbit and Fairy Festival, to be held Saturday at Hemlock Springs Historic Crafts and Cultural Arts Center.

That relatively new business and tourist attraction is located on Mitcheltree Hollow Road in Keating Summit.

Purpose of the festival is to encourage artistry, imagination and fun 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.

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

There will also be a bagpiper, flutists and vendors. Children will sketch drawings in journals to record their findings in nature.