Today's side deal lets you see just how much a master crafter can accomplish. For $4, you get one ticket good for admission to all three days of the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg (a $9 value at the door, $7 online). The extravaganza lasts from Friday, October 8, to Sunday, October 10; doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. (doors close at 5 p.m. on Sunday). Kids under 12 get in free. Parking is equally free.
In addition to the 10,000 metric tons of artisanal pottery, sculpture, jewelry, and furniture from more than 250 top craftsmen and women, the festival features interactive demonstrations in disciplines such as copper spinning and woodwork, live music, and a role-playing costumed storytelling adventure for kids. The culinary arts also make an appearance, with more savory eats and artisanal treats than you could shake a pancake at.
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Attracting more than 170,000 art enthusiasts to its events in 2011, the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival showcases original work from hundreds of artisans showcasing everything from handcrafted pottery, sculpture, and metalwork to jewelry, fashion, décor, and photography. Audiences can witness art being made live during educational demonstrations as artisans sculpt clay, whittle wood, forge metals, and imbue baskets with the power of speech. Hungry crafters can also sniff out specialty food items to sample or purchase while dancing across the sprawling venue to the tunes of live music.