Calico Fort (That's My World!)

So! It had been 37 years since I last visited Calico Fort, and I am positive there was no bungie jumping then!

Back in 1974, Boy Scouts performed Native American dances, and Kathryn Tucker Windham read her ghost stories to children.  The entertainment has changed!

This past weekend, the Calico Fort Arts & Crafts Fair celebrated its 40th anniversary. The two-day event  is sponsored by the Fort Deposit Arts Council which only has 24 members! So how do they put this fair together? They rely on the town's 1500 residents who work for months to make it successful. Proceeds benefit community projects that have included the municipal auditiorium, volunteer fire department, college scholarships and various cultural events.

The festival is about 30 miles south of Montgomery just off Interstate 65 and located on the grounds where Gen. Andrew Jackson ordered the establishment of a supply fort back around 1813. 

Moving on:

 

 My favorite exhibit was Phillip Adams' Swings and Things. He builds cypress outdoor furniture and bird feeders/houses. Since he lives in Fort Deposit, I won't have too far to travel for my next outdoor swing! We used to have a cypress swing that lasted for years and years and years. I wouldn't mind bringing home a picnic table too.

 

 Okay. Here we are at PJ Crochets. Now, I crochet...or at least I USED to crochet afghans. But Paulette Jones of Cartersville, Ga., uses cotton fabric to crochet purses and rag rugs. Tempting!

Jeff and Jaky Felix of Titus won the Best of Show trophy for their exhibit of fused glass.  You can view more of their colorful and spectacular creations at Joyful Imagination Glass.

 

These metal welcome signs looked so welcoming that I bought one! Made by Thomas and Kathy Rash of Rutledge, there were numerous styles from which to choose, and how I'd love to have some of their metal wind chimes too. (Yes, that's a hint!) Check them out at T&K Sheetmetal Works & Design.

 

And now, here's the dazzling Adams' Glass Studio. Charles Adams of Troy started out with a small hobby shop, but he's since added stained-glass church windows and other ecclesiastical art.  

 

And finally, we actually started our day at The Pig Pit! The barbecue sold here not only benefited our appetites but the fire department too.

While this year's fair had fewer exhibitors (still more than 100 though) than some in years past, the planners go all out to contact new artists and craftsmen with quality products. And, organizers say that "because Calico Fort is planned to present new ideas, it will never grow old."

Posted at That's My World Tuesday