Just before the festival ended, I photographed chief organizers Bente Petersen of Piedmont Yarn and Apparel and Lou Grantham of San Francisco Fiber. Both had big smiles. Petersen later confided that she had no idea as to what to expect but was thrilled with the attendance and all the positive feedback they had received--not to mention the support tendered by more than thirty community volunteers.
When I phoned Grantham a few days later, she said the event was far more successful than she could have imagined. What she particularly liked was the fact that attendees were actively engaged--taking full advantage of the hands-on opportunities that included weaving, knitting, crocheting, spinning, quilting and felting.
On the day of the festival, one of the individuals who took advantage of the hands-on knitting instruction was seated next to her mother, Latisha Baker--an East Bay artist. Latisha said she really liked the event because it was "fresh and unique" unlike most shows and galleries that focus on purely visual art forms. Her teenage daughter who had previously knit came along for a refresher course and while enthusiastically working her knitting needles, chimed in, "It's different in a good way".
I also spoke with a young woman who identified herself as H. Grant who had just checked out a Ladybug Spinning Wheel offered by Brookfarm--one of six Alpaca breeders that make up the Alpaca Pac. Ms. Grant said she was having lots of fun and enjoyed seeing all the pretty things being offered in all nineteen booths. She then added that she was a member of the Straight Girls Contingent of the East Bay Lesbian Knitters and Hookers.
It's a good bet that a majority of her fellow members were instead across the bay enjoying the Pride Parade. The one thing that will likely change for the Second Annual Fiber Festival is the timing. To avoid such a conflict, Petersen indicated that they are already looking at alternative Sundays for next year.
Otherwise, next year's event is likely to be larger, even better attended, but otherwise much the same. Drawing fiber devotees from as far away as Clovis (a three-hour drive), the organizers have obviously hit on a winning formula.