Goddess Fair Celebrates Female Spirit

Other than the hint that this is in Berkshire County, I'm not sure where in the USA this event is taking place, but it sure sounds like fun - and for a good cause, too. May the hand of the Goddess be upon you: http://www.iberkshires.com/story/24352/Goddess-Fair-Celebrates-Female-Spirit.html By Tammy Daniels - September 07, 2007 NORTH ADAMS - Area residents can get in touch with their feminine side Sunday for a can of coffee - or a pillow or laundry supplies. The donations will admit them to the third annual Goddess Fair from noon to 4 at Western Gateway Heritage State Park, a benefit for the Louison House that's also a celebration of the female spirit. Men are welcome, too. Glass bead and jewelry maker Isabella Raven held the first fair at her Florida Mountain home in 2005, basing it on herbal fairs she'd attended over the years. It was so popular she moved it to Heritage Park last year. This year, some 20 vendors or more are expected to set up booths, along with musicians, dancers and other exhibitions. The big difference this year, said Raven on Friday, is the number of volunteers who've offered to help run the four-hour festival. "I can't believe the community support I've received this year," she said. "I've received a donation from Big Y and the Williamstown [Milne] library donated signs that we've repainted for the fair ... they're recycled signs." Lickety Split will be the natural food vendor. A raffle and bake sale will also benefit Louison House. Special Forces, a local video volunteer group, will film the fair for Northern Berkshire Community Television. Entertainment will include the African stylings of the Marafanyi Percussion ensemble, three women from Topia who will be playing unusual instruments, including the sitar and didgeridoo, a martial arts exhibition by Berkshire Tae Kwon Do, dancers from Karen's School of Dance, the belly-dancing Goddess Dancers and the "Wee Goddess in Training Parade." "I'm expecting a really good turnout," said Raven. The bulk of the booths and demonstrations will be located at the north end of the park, near the stage. Sign-ups for the parade start at noon sharp; it will kick off as soon as there are enough little goddesses (and gods). Burger King donated paper crowns, which have been painted and decorated, and "wands" and other parade favors have been created by volunteers. Residents from Louison House, the local homeless shelter, helped to paint the posters; other volunteers, including students from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, have come forward to lift some of the burden from Raven, who's organized the last two fairs mostly on her own. "I actually have volunteers this year, so it's running a lot smoother," she said. "We really appreciate people taking the time to make this happen," said Michael Boland, executive director of Louison House. "The idea is that this is an opportunity to make people aware of homelessness and to bring to light that there is a solution. That the shelter is responsive and proactive." Support for the fest has come from beyond the Berkshire range. Raven mentioned the fair on an online glass-blowing forum. It was seen by a woman in Illinois, who called Raven to say she was sending two handmade glass goddess statues for the raffle. "She just did this out of the goodness of her heart," said Raven. "Another woman from Lake Pleasant makes soap and she made a whole package for the raffle table. I'm just blown away from the support I'm getting." Donation suggestions for the shelter include spices, coffee, tea, creamer, new bed pillows, towels of all types, pots and pans, cleaning supplies, toiletries for adults and children, laundry baskets and laundry supplies, hair supplies/accessories, bus passes, store gift cards in small denominations, toilet paper, trash bags, feminine products, baby products and storage containers. "I think that [list] is key. I think people have good intentions [when they drop items off] but this meets specific needs," said Boland. The donations will help in the operation of the shelter as well as in aiding people to move into their own homes. Donations for the bake sale will also be accepted. "The program is jam packed with entertainment," said Raven. "I hope everybody comes down and has a good time." In case of rain, the fair will be held Sunday, Sept. 16.