Sugarloaf in Manassas lets you view craftmakers

Keith Walker
Published: September 5, 2008

More than 150 of the nation's finest artists and craft designers are offering their unique crafts at the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Manassas this weekend.

Now in its 28th year, the festival at the Prince William County Fairgrounds offers collectors and craft enthusiasts one-of-a-kind creations in functional and decorative pottery, sculpture, glass, jewelry, fashion, home décor, furniture and home accessories, items for the garden and photography.

Visitors can do more than simply purchase items from the exhibitors. The festival gives the public the opportunity to meet the artists and learn more about the unique qualities of their work. Entertaining and informative live demon-strations from master craftspeople working in wood, metal are presented each day during the event.

Sheep-shearing demonstrations will be conducted today and Sunday.

Specialty gourmet foods will be also available for sampling and purchase, along with a wide variety of conces-sions.

Among the exhibitors are Ruth and Bob Barnet of Hamilton, who have been coming to the festival since 1997. She brings one-of-a kind paintings and he brings wood turnings.

Ruth is 90 and Bob is 89.

"We used to go to at least four or five shows a year, but with our age we now only go to this one in Manas-sas," said Ruth, adding "the rest of the year we get our items ready for the show."

She had more than 100 of her paintings for sale, ranging in size from 2 by 4 inches to 8 by l0 inches. They ranged from animals to flowers to scenic spots the couple had visited. Bob makes the frames for the paintings.

One of Ruth's favorite customers was also one of her first on Friday morning.

Kay Flynn, 65, of Alexandria, was on hand to see if Ruth had new paintings of cats.

"Through the years, I've already purchased 40 or more of Ruth's painting which hang on my walls," said Flynn with a chuckle.

The festival also features eclectic music and fun family entertainment. There is native aboriginal music from nation-ally touring performers Martin and Scott, and piano standards and renditions of pop favorites from Bob Geresti.

In the special children's area, kids can become a part of their favorite

fantasy stories with interactive fairytales narrated by costumed storytellers from Middle Earth Studios.

Tom Boone from Lousia was at his eighth festival doing ornamental blacksmithing.

"I love attending the festival and chatting with the visitors. I also like what I'm doing … and not tied up behind a desk job," said Boone, an eighth-generation descendant of Daniel Boone.

He gave demonstrations on items ranging from tables and lamps to fireplace accessories, some carrying a price tag of more than $1,200.

"The metal is cheap, but a lot of hours go into making the items," he said.

Other craft demonstrations include furniture making, Ruku pottery firing, wood turning, metal spinning, hand carved spoons and bowls and pottery.

The festival continues today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Adult admission is $8 at the door.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.