Illustration courtesy of Strange Folk Festival
Strange Folk Festival 2014
This weekend, 150 crafters, artists, and curators of vintage items from around the country will converge on O’Fallon Community Park for the ninth annual Strange Folk Festival (401 E. Fifth, O’Fallon, Ill.).
On Saturday and Sunday, booths will sell a variety of handmade, upcycled, and vintage goods, including jewelry, accessories, all-natural soaps, clothing, ceramics, and other artwork.
“It was hard to choose, as always,” says Autumn Wiggins, the festival’s chairperson, of the vendors that will be represented at the event. “But we plucked 150 from about 400 applications. I’m excited to be adding more talented illustrators and vintage curators into the mix this year.”
These vendors create many useful, beautiful, and quirky items. A few standouts include miniature food-themed jewelry pieces by Fenton’s Charming Cuisine, beard oil from Tame Your Mane, household items made from whiskey barrels by Florissant’s 1933 Designs, and hand-drawn illustrations by Arthur’s Plaid Pants.
In addition to shopping, Wiggins has planned a number of free activities for kids. Children can visit Fort Featherbottom, a campground-themed play area, or participate in the Hunt for Craft October scavenger hunt. The Bearth family of Belleville, Illinois, and the Artisan Guild of Southern Illinois are also hosting an on-site petting zoo featuring the alpacas of Bear Kamp Farms.
The event also offers crafts for all ages, including a booth with washi tape and T-shirt bracelet crafting from Perennial. Superfun Yeah Yeah Rocketship, Ellen the Felon, Letter to Memphis, and other local bands will provide live music. Food and drink will be available for purchase from 20 local establishments.
Strange Folk Festival started as an outlet for area crafters, Wiggins says, but it has now grown to be the Midwest’s largest outdoor indie art festival. Admission and parking are free for this event, which takes place September 27 and 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
