Manitoba Fibre Festival will mark its 10th anniversary when it returns after a two-year break prompted by COVID-19
After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the Manitoba Fibre Festival is being held on Sept. 9-10 at Winnipeg’s Red River Exhibition Place.
Festival co-ordinator Margaret Brook said she can hardly wait to see the many vendors, artisans, farmers and guests.
“We are so glad to be celebrating our 10th year by getting back together under one roof after two years of smaller, dispersed gatherings.”
The Manitoba Fibre Festival brings together Manitoba sheep and alpaca farmers, those who use natural fibres in processing, artisans and crafters, and knit and crochet hobbyists.
The event features a Hall of Breeds, showcasing various sheep and alpaca breeds, sheep shearing, wool judging, spinning, machine knitting and lace making. Workshops are also offered for those who want to learn new skills.
“It connects urban and rural people in a way not many other events do,” Brook said.
She said about 70 vendors from Western Canada are expected to attend.
Susie Gourlay of Regina wanted to educate herself on the yarn-making process. She said she was lucky to have a good mentor.
“I wanted to make my own yarn and experiment with fibre from different breeds.”
Gourlay sells her yarn and knitted goods through her Knit Natural company. She’s come to the Manitoba Fibre Festival every year since it started in 2013, and loves to meet the other vendors and crafters, many of whom become close friends.
“It’s my favourite time of year,” she said. “I’ve really missed it. I miss the community.”
Gourlay is also a certified wool judge and is expected to judge the festival’s entries again this year.
Angie Baloun and husband Dale raise alpacas near Manitou, Man. She’s another long-time fibre festival vendor and loves the chance to meet with customers again and display the natural black, chocolate and cream-coloured yarn made from her herd’s fibre, as well the knitted garments she creates.
The Balouns aren’t bringing their alpacas to the festival because of the distance involved, but Baloun said she appreciates the live animal display because it helps educate people about these animals.
Baloun’s Alpaca Acres was one of the stops on the Manitoba Fibre Trail that guided dedicated fleece and yarn enthusiasts to Manitoba farms during the past two years when the festival was on hold.
Baloun said she’s excited about seeing more customers in person over the fibre festival’s two days.
“It’s refreshing and enjoyable to deal with customers who have a good general understanding of what we do.”
This year marks the first time that Calgary’s Shannon McDowall will be one of the vendors. She sells hand-crafted cotton and vinyl bags under the SewShannon label. While she’s been making bags for 12 years, she said she only became aware about five years ago that knitters, crocheters and other crafters like to store their ongoing and half-finished projects in special craft caddies like those she makes.
Mask making and online sales kept her business afloat through the pandemic but she’s looking forward to meeting customers in person and showcasing her pieces.
While the pandemic put a stop to public events like the Manitoba Fibre Festival, it resulted in many people having the time at home to develop new crafting skills.
“A lot of people turned to crafts as solace and an activity that brings comfort,” Brook said.
Because of this, she’s hoping to welcome many new guests to the 2022 festival.
More information is available at www.manitobafibrefestival.com.
