06.30.09
Sweet Owen Arts in the Park
For a quiet, rural county in Kentucky, things have really been popping around here, both literally and figuratively.
First of all, Elk Creek Hunt Club was selected to host the U.S. Open of shooting sports, and over 1,200 shooters from all over the world tested their skills June 23-28. If that wasn’t enough excitement, many of those competitors brought family and friends with them, and a few were looking for other interesting things to do while they were here.
First Annual Sweet Owen Arts in the Park
Owen County organized several interesting events including a historical tour of the city and its homes along with a carriage ride and progressive tea that wound up at Friday’s farmers’ market.
A carriage tour through historic Owenton, complete with storytellers, ended at our farmers’ market and courthouse.
In addition, the Owen County Arts Council (including your friendly soapmaker) planned an all-day “Sweet Owen Arts in the Park” on Saturday, the first of what we hope are annual events. We invited local artists to set up and were pleased at the response from them. We had 32 artists including many potters, jewelrymakers, fine artists, photographers, a broom-maker, gourd artists, and many more. There was an all-day lineup of really great music, and plenty of good food too. We had exhibitions of old-time forging, spinning and printing. We also had exhibits of childrens’ art from the schools.
I have to say that planning for this event was daunting. There were so many details and of course not enough money to take care of everything the way we’d like. We ended up hand-lettering a number of signs, and using our labor to stretch funds. The event was sponsored by local businesses and organizations, but it still took plenty of old-fashioned elbow grease.
Ron DeVore brought his dulcimer along with fine art and entertained fairgoers near his booth.
Count It a Success
Crowds were moderate … there just aren’t that many people who live in Owen County, but we advertised in surrounding areas as well and that helped some. In addition, we did have some visitors from the Elk Creek U.S. Open. Festival-goers seemed to unanimously have a great time.
The event took place at the Owen County Fairgrounds, and some artists were inside a display building while others were set up in tents outside the building. It turned out to be a super-hot 90-plus degrees with sun beating down. I myself came away with a supreme sunburn and a promise not to leave home without sunscreen again. There were too many UV rays bouncing around inside my tent, and what was I thinking anyway?
This was my tent. Note that I’ve put Anna’s EsSCENTials Bodycare across the front of the tent. I also brought some of my hooked rugs to help decorate and draw attention.
Nevertheless, by 9 p.m. that night, as we emptied garbage cans and stored chairs and picnic tables, the arts council members felt it had been a success and a credit to the community. In a small community, it takes a lot of volunteers to get anything accomplished. The fine women I worked with on the arts council were some of the best and most resourceful you’d ever want to meet. Already we’re evaluating and planning for next year. That Sweet Owen Arts in the Park festival is planned for late May.
And on to “Moments of Happiness”
As for me, I’m glad for a break where I can begin to think soap again. I’m still mulling over my next anticipated creation which I’ve mentioned before, “Moments of Happiness” soap, inspired by my trip to Thailand and my beautiful new granddaughter, Eva Leilani. I have come up with a tentative essential oil combination for it and am about ready to begin tests. More reports on that to come.
Sharon