Loose Leaf Notes

-The following first appeared in The Floyd Press on May 9, 2019

It’s fair to say that the 2^nd annual Mayfaire at the Floyd Center for the Arts (FCA) was a hit.  Attendance was up on Saturday and the forecasted rain held off till near closing time. 

There was craft making, kid’s activities, live music, food, art  and craft vendors and artisan demonstrations on the FCA grounds, which were transformed to resemble an Old World village square. 

The Give Peace a Dance troupe performed and taught Maypole dancing.  They passed out flower leis and garlands.  Unfortunately, Saturday flowers brought Sunday showers and downpours, and Sunday’s Mayfaire was cancelled.  

Here, the festively dressed Give Peace a Dance dancers pose in front of the giant flower peace sign they made for their booth. 

Kids gathered around to paint rocks and make pain- print gift bags.

Master Naturalists assisted kids to make seed bombs, wildflower seed medleys ready for planting, made from recycled clay from the FCA potter studio and potting soil.

Making large bubbles in front of the Water Flag/Water Protectors’ booth was a popular activity.  The Duvall kids came to Mayfaire from Winston Salem with their parents, who  learned about the event on Facebook. 

Deborah Harris painted artful faces from her gypsy caravan booth.  She played her handmade ocarina clay flutes in between customers.  

The women of the Rainbow Time Apothecary came from Winston Salem for the Mayfaire.  Artist/designer Amy Fitzgerald (far right) has work in the FCA’s current “The Fiber of Art” exhibit.

Folk artist Ken Peece said  he recently posted a sketch of John Prine on his Facebook page and Prine’s wife “liked it.”  Peese’s art is on exhibit at the FCA. 

 Betse Dunham’s Pottery sparkled with a cosmic tea dust glaze.  She is a regular vendor at the Floyd Artistan Market.

Flying Doves’ Robert McNabb and friends were one of the bands entertaining the crowd. 

Julie Arrington of 5 Mile Mountain Distillery was vending artisan-organic cotton candy, a spin-off from the distillery business of mixing flavor combinations. Mango Chili Powder and Strawberry Lemonade were on the menu.

Deborah Carrino waits with her dog Buddy for a grilled sandwich from the Grateful Bread food booth. Buddy has a Facebook following, and it was suggested that he should be the town mascot, Carrino said.

See you next year!