A+E

click to enlarge

The weather has been a lot nicer lately, giving us a little taste of summer and leaving us itching for a good, old-fashioned, outdoor festival. Fortunately, the good folks at the Blue Ox Historic Village and School hammer one out each May. This Saturday, May 7, the village welcomes the coming of summer with its 13th Annual May Day Celebration from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ($12-adults, $8 for ages 6 to 17, free for kids 5 and under).

Festivalgoers can check out traditional craft demonstrations in blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, copper smithing, stained glass, wood turning, ceramics and more — all using authentic period skills and tools. New to the event this year are gold leafing and stone mortar-free arch demonstrations with master sign painter Chuck Ellsworth and master stone mason Ryan McCutchan. Also, master spinner Crystal Estelle-Dobbs will be spinning wool yarn on a great wheel, circa 1800. Legit.

You won't want to miss the May Pole dance at 1:30 p.m., the kids will love the puppet shows, and good eats and drinks are available at the Micro-brew and Barbecue. No festival would be complete without live music. Two stages play host to musicians Dale Winget, Twisted Thistle, Empty Bottle Boys, Kindred Spirits, Mike O'Hehir, Striped Pig Band, Compost Mountain Boys, Kenny Ray & the Mighty Rovers and Good Company.