Arts and Entertainment
Each year, the City of O’Fallon is home to a rather unusual indie arts and crafts festival called Strange Folk. This event, held in September, draws artists and crafters from all over the country to display their work at Community Park.
The popular festival is quite unique and brings in a crowd from all over the region. It has been described as a “counter-culture art and craft event.” In addition to crafts, the festival also offers various activities, games, food and music.
The Strange Folk Festival is still a fairly new offering in O’Fallon, having only been around since 2006, but the warm reception it received from residents and vendors alike has insured that it will continue well into the future. Decidedly strict guidelines are followed to ensure that the work on exhibit is truly different art. No mass-produced items, imports or antiques dealers are allowed—that way browsers know the items they are viewing are handmade. Also, the vendors who are drawn to this event tend to have more unusual items for sale.
Those selling their wares have had a wonderful experience at the festival. Elizabeth Frick of Ahimsa Creations makes sock monkeys, baby clothing and accessories for adults and says, “I loved Strange Folk! The weather was warm but lovely, the crowds plentiful and the fellow vendors truly talented!” Vendor Aunia Kahn describes the festival as, “A blending of wonderful people who take creating and crafting to another level.”
Dana Plonka came all the way from University City in St. Louis to attend the festival as a vendor and pointed out that the sunny, crisp fall day was the perfect backdrop for Strange Folk in 2007. She says, “The event was well- attended, yet relaxed and fun. I'm not sure what I enjoyed most: shopping and meeting the other crafters from around the country or conversing with enthusiastic customers!” Plonka’s work includes handmade books & notepads using original vintage materials such us playing cards, record albums and bingo cards.
Many vendors come back time and again to enjoy the atmosphere and to offer their creations and products to the browsing crowds. Kristine Brown of Luna Herb Co. is an Illinois resident who has been one such vendor, stating, “It is a great festival to participate in and I look forward to it every year.”
Beth “Freshie” Lawrence of Freshie & Zero is a vendor who makes hand-hammered jewelry. “Strange Folk is like a fun, laid back crafty party—there is music, food, interactive activities and, of course, plenty of handmade items to purchase. It is also very inclusive—the type of craft and the age range of vendors is very expansive and therefore there is something for everyone.”
Autumn Wiggins is the organizer for the event and she explains that, in only its third year, it has become the largest craft show of its kind in the Midwest. She points out that the 2007 festival had over 100 vendors that were selected from all over the country. The event seems to really be picking up speed, expanding from the original one-day offering to two days, and drawing from a larger pool of applicants each time.
The fact that vendors have had a good experience with the festival helps spread the word too. Margaret Coble felt that participating was well worth the five-hour drive from her home in Kentucky and remarks, “I thought Strange Folk was incredibly well- organized, a good mix of indie crafters from around the region, and a lot of fun!”
The Strange Folk Festival is one of many things that help to make O’Fallon a special place to live. With each passing year, it becomes a bigger draw, allowing other people from the region to experience what everyone who resides here already knows—it’s a great place to be.
For more information about the Strange Folk Festival, visit www.strangefolkfestival.com
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