Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Nevada Territory Wild West Fair AKA Nevada State Fair

They've changed the name, they've changed the look, they've changed a lot of things! But it seems to be shaping up to be just as entertaining, even more so if you believe the talk, as it has been in the past!

I have made this a yearly trip since 2005. I love the atmosphere, the festivities, the food (garlic fries and fresh squeezed lemonade!) and most of all the fellowship of the many talented and multifaceted people of Carson Sierra Spinners and Weavers guild. Throughout the year I look forward to their company for a whole three days, and always wish I had longer to enjoy them. These were the first spinners I had direct contact with after I had taught myself to spin a year and a half earlier. I was seriously deprived!

CSSW sets up a pavilion just inside the fair ground entrance off of Wells Avenue, and inside are arranged all the collective talent of the guild. There are several displays centered on one fiber art or another, and every year a particular sheep breed is chosen to be in the spotlight so that people can learn specific things about that breed. Last year they allowed me to have a couple of tunis lambs there for petting, along with a display of tunis wool; raw, processed, spun, woven, crocheted and knitted. Thinking back on it I think I could have put up a board or something telling about the breed, but I did have pamphlets that are put out by the registry. We reserve the center of the pavilion for the 'spinning circle', with a path around the circle for fair goers to wander through and see all the great displays!

The state has a huge hall devoted to entries from all over the state, from baked food to canned to quilts and home grown vegies, as you would see at most fairs, but CSSW has its own displays specific to fiber arts and all the entries are judged there in the pavilion totally separate from the other exhibits. We also have a fleece show, something I've enjoyed watching immensely every year, and I somehow went and put my foot in it; I'm to judge the fleece show this year... gulp.

The following picture is deliberately vague, as these are the things I have entered in the CSSW fiber show. But I will tell you this; there is something crocheted, something knitted, a single, a Navajo ply, and a two ply :)

More pictures next week when I get back! Have a great weekend everyone!

3 comments:

Purple Fuzzy Mittens said...

I'm looking forward to hanging out at the fair with you! travel safe!

Jody said...

Can't wait to see those pics! Have fun and good luck to you Becky :-)

Sharon said...

It was so much fun today, nasty fair food and all. I especially enjoyed the treat of your company on the drive back to the valley. Oh man, how I wished you lived out here. Mim and I need to make a field trip to see your chickens :)