arden fair 2010

This time of year is the best! Windows open. Slight nip in the air, just enough to think about wearing a sweater to whatever fall festival is on tap. The Delaware fall festival season kicked off last weekend with the 104th Arden Fair, always held on the Saturday before Labor Day just north of Wilmington, in the quirky village of Arden.

The first time I visited Arden, it was on a winter day and I had the sensation of stepping into a storybook village blanketed charmingly with snow. Think Tolkein's Shire, with Hobbits snug in their diminutive cottages, eating and drinking merrily by their hearths.

Arden is awfully nice in late summer also. I explored their website and was interested to find out that before it was claimed by artists and bohemian types, it had been a summer camp for people from Philadelphia and New York. That explains its picturesque woodsiness, its tiny cottages, its narrow winding roads (once meant for foot traffic), its central green and famous Gild Hall of this little hamlet. Arden's tradition of fostering the arts, started in camp days, continues year round now with its theater group and clubs.

Merry eating and drinking in the beer garden to the sound of Grateful Dead covers.

Tie dye for sale to go along with the Grateful Dead tunes.

Real kettle corn for the kids.

The kids were enthralled by this spinning wheel demonstration by Kat Crippen of The Wool Merchant's Daughter. Brings back memories of my mom doing the very same thing at craft shows many years ago.

Wool yarns just in time for fall.

Janet Nickerson of Lady Aimee's Fine Sewing and Sutlery.

Shakespearean and other reproduction clothing.

Fine linens from Miss Aimee's.

Plenty of fun for the kids.

Great fall kick-off, Arden! Next weekend I'll be checking out the Brandywine Arts Festival taking place Saturday & Sunday down by the Brandywine Zoo.