(Writing and photography by Sheila Gail Landgraf)
I've been going to the craft festivals at Homestead Hollow for years. They started up when I was just out of high school and now I'm a grandmother! I've never known a local community event to have such substance or last so long. I've pondered why this is so; perhaps the quality of the wares the craftsmen have been selling here for years, perhaps the beauty of the recreated little pioneer town, perhaps the delicious food or simply the feeling that you have stepped into a time machine and gone back a few centuries. All I can tell you is it is a special place and I enjoy it more each time I go.
My daughters seem to share in this love for Homestead Hollow events. I took them there when they were growing up, and now they call me up and invite me to go with them! One daughter took me there as a present for Mother's Day about four years ago (remembering what fun she had enjoyed there while growing up) and she treated me to the delicious homemade food and some of the handmade jewelry. We had a blast! Not to be outdone, her twin took me for Mother's Day the next year! We had so much fun, especially since we decided to take my Mother along with us, which along with my new granddaughter, gave us four generations of our family enjoying Homestead Hollow's treats in one day. Homestead Hollow is a great place for your family to make memories. Be sure to put their events down on your list of things to do this year. There are festivals scheduled every May, October and November.
The next event will be in October of 2015. You have plenty of time to fit it into your schedule if you write it on the calendar now. Gates are open from 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. Why not arrive early and get your Christmas shopping done? You will be amazed at the crafts on display.You can also rent the area when the festival is closed for weddings and special events. It is a great venue to enjoy!
There is a lovely, quaint, down-home beauty about this open air crafter's market. Maybe it is the history associated with it all that fascinates me, or maybe it is the unique crafts that are displayed, or maybe it is a combination of a million sounds, smells and visions that come alive in this little dot on the map called Springville, Alabama, but I love this festival held in the small town valley nicknamed "the hollow."
Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for those under 12 and those under 2 get in free. Parking is free. Expect to be delighted! Every pioneer demonstration imaginable will be taking place.
There will be whiskey making, quilting, gardening, blacksmithing, iron-working and carving in the pioneer village. You can take a tour of an authentic log cabin and see how people lived in this valley years and years ago. I especially enjoyed the doll making and the spinning.
You will find local bands and entertainment all along the banks of the winding little brook that runs through the lovely wooded land. You might want to take the buggy ride offered, it is lots of fun.
There are pony rides, a moonwalk and a petting zoo for the kids. Even the grown up kids will enjoy the sweet little lambs in the petting zoo! Use the setting as a live history lesson and they won't even notice that they are learning. Teach them how honey is made by showing them the bee farm. Teach them about how medicine was first made at the root cellar.
Don't waste a minute worrying about getting hungry. No problem here. The General Store is open with it's fried pies and homemade jellies and jams. The peach fried pies are my favorite! There are sandwiches, including smoked BBQ and corn on the cob. How about a candied apple? Or maybe some homemade fudge? Why not taste some of the freshly churned homemade ice cream? Whatever you are craving, you will more than likely find it on your journey through this hollow.
Can't make it in October? It happens all over again in November!
Y'all come!
