ALLENDALE -- In keeping with its overall mission of bringing art to the people, the Allendale County Arts Council will sponsor the second annual Olde Timey Days Festival at the Salkehatchie Arts Center on Main Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14.

The event is free to the public and promises to provide the gamut of aesthetic textures that appeal to sight, sound and touch.

Sondra Knight, the Arts Center's retail manager, says member artists and artisans will provide live demonstrations right on the open grounds of the facility.

"People who come to the Olde Timey Days Festival will have the opportunity to participate in interactive exhibits by our Arts Center members," Knight said. "All the items they see will also be for sale inside the Arts Center, which offers many great gift ideas for Father's Day at reasonable prices. We anticipate a good crowd on hand based on the turnout of over 100 people for our inaugural festival last year."

One of the most popular demonstrations at last year's Olde Timey Days Festival involved Karla Barricklow of Martin, who spun carded angora hair gleaned from live rabbits into yarn, from which she made baby booties.

"I've been spinning since about 1986," said Barricklow, who grew up in the Midwest before coming to South Carolina. "I was into weaving at the time and really didn't want to spin, but I was cajoled into it by other weavers that I knew. I got to where I really enjoyed it. I create rugs, shawls, jackets and other items as they catch my fancy. The fibers I use most often are cotton, wool, angora and silk."

Kurt Larson, an artisan from Brunson who does iron work, will demonstrate the artistic side of the ancient practice of blacksmithing during the festival. Larson says he learned the craft eight years ago when he lived near the John C. Campbell Folk School near Murphy, N.C.

"I create a variety of ornamental iron pieces that are functional, such as chest or door hinges fashioned to look like flowers, leaves or animal heads, just to name a few," Larson said. "For example, the time it takes to create a hinge depends on what stock material I'm working with. That can range from 10 minutes for lighter iron stock for chest hinges to 45 minutes for hefty stock used in barn doors."

Other artist demonstrations will also be featured during the Olde Timey Days Festival, covering wood carving, folk art, lye soap making, chair caning, embroidery, crocheting, quilting and pottery.

Tricia Barnwell, a country musician from Allendale, and her band will provide the entertainment. Local women who contributed their family recipes for the "Allendale County Tricentennial Cookbook" will also be on hand to autograph copies of the publication.

"There'll be plenty of refreshments with homemade barbecue and old-fashioned lemonade served out of an oak barrel," Knight said. "There will also be plenty to do for the youngsters. Allen Black, a unicyclist and juggler, will provide entertainment for the kids, and Rebecca Scheffler will be doing face painting. We'll also have old-fashioned games, such as badminton and croquet, plus chalk for drawing on the sidewalk. There's also plenty of shade under the ancient oak trees around the Arts Center, providing for a pleasant atmosphere."

Those attending the festival can also register for a drawing to give away a quilt at 1:30 p.m., and you don't have to be present to win. In order to register, visitors can go to the Brandt Building beside the Allendale County Courthouse and make their pick for the People's Choice Award at the 28th annual Clariant Fine Art & Photography Exhibit between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The primary benefit offered by the Allendale Olde Timey Days Festival is something that is rare in the 21st century, organizers say -- a chance to witness interaction with natural materials that are transformed into items of beauty, all done on a comfortable, human scale and a real treat for the senses.

T&D Correspondent Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at pmhsarata@aol.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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