Lovers’ Loop Retreat’s Weblog

Yesterday was a beautiful day to get out of the house. The air was crisp and it definitely had that almost fall feel. We drove the four miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Folk Art Center from Lovers’ Loop Retreat, where our guest suite is.

We walked up the steps to the Folk Art Center Building where we began seeing exhibits and craft demonstrations. We could see and hear more actvitiy and music as we went into the building and walked through all the exhibitors to the other side.

Old-time clogging music

We enjoyed watching the cloggers dance to the traditional tunes and walked around to see what else was going on outside.

We learned a few new things from a bee keeper who had bees in a display as well as honey to buy.

Learning about bees

Mountain Fresh Orchards of Hendersonville had a small, hand-crank apple cider press and it was fun to watch the kids crank it. As the juice dripped out the front, people were encouraged to catch it in little paper cups for a taste. Whatever remained in the bucket below was filtered through cheese cloth and bottled for sale.

Apple cider press

Weaving on a floor loom

There were more than 25 crafts and skills demonstrated. There were basket-makers, spinners and weavers, woodcarvers, chairmakers, broommakers, quilters, sheep shearing, border collie demonstrations and more.

Large spinning wheel

There were also special events like the 28th Annual World Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition. I can’t explain it – you have to see it for yourself!

Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle Competition

Fall is a great time to visit Asheville! There are so many things going on. We hope you’ll check all the upcoming Asheville events on our Web site, www.loversloopretreat.com, and stay with us when you visit!