Culture

Patti’s Sept. 22 “Inside New Gloucester” column

A baby turtle slumbers on a protruding log in the Royal River Reservoir on a balmy summer’s day. Patti Mikkelsen / For Lakes Region Weekly

Shaker Village Harvest Festival

Oct. 7 marks the date of Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village’s Harvest Festival, offering free admission and a variety of activities for the whole family. This end-of-season event featuring traditional pastimes takes place from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Freshly-picked apples from Shaker orchards will be offered for sale along with free cider-pressing of apples purchased on-site. Also for sale are homemade Shaker doughnuts and other baked goods.

Chipman’s Farm will have a bounty available for sale, including pumpkins. Donna’s Greenhouses will offer seasonal mums, houseplants and more. Bluegrass tunes by Albert Price and the Pseudonyms provide musical entertainment.

Free traditional craft demonstrations will include Shaker-style broom making, wool carding, spinning, knife making by Zay’s Knives, rug hooking by Parris House Wool Works, blacksmithing by Tim Greene, wood carving by the Poland Woodcarvers and crafts by Native American artists including Lightning Hawk Creations, Wendy Hamilton and Passamaquoddy Maple. Author and woodworker Chris Becksvoort will be present to sign copies of his book, “Shaker Inspiration: Five Decades of Fine Craftsmanship.”

Other free activities include wagon rides offered throughout the day, tours and tastings in the Shakers’ herb gardens, a special museum exhibit on display, tours of the Shakers’ barn and face painting for all ages.

Barbecue lunch plates will be available for sale, while supplies last. The museum will be open for tours, as well as the Shaker store and museum gift shop.

For Patti Mikkelsen’s complete column in the Lakes Region Weekly, go to https://www.pressherald.com/2023/09/22/inside-new-gloucester-sept-22/?fbclid=IwAR2GayF-uP8XaHrFRAfC3kaBVqjKFSI-wUK9Cqf6BxP-QJg128tCF39HRDs