NEWS RELEASE

The SLV Folk Arts and Fiber Festival, aka the SLVFest, spins into its fifth year on July 8, in Monte Vista, with a day of vendors in Marsh Park and a launch party under the "big tent" in the evening. The festivities continue in Marsh Park on Saturday and Sunday, July 9th & 10th for two more days of food, arts, crafts, demonstrations, retail, music and contests—including the visitor favorite—spinning contests. The SLVFest is a celebration of the handmade and traditional arts.

The pancake breakfast is planned for all three days brought to you by the Girl Scouts of Colorado - Antonito and La Jara Daisies. Serving Pancakes/Waffles, sausage links, scrambled eggs and orange juice/coffee for $5.99 per plate (including beverage). This will be Friday through Sunday 8:30a.m. - 10:30a.m. The Daisies will also host a craft booth for children. For a $3.00 fee, children can sit and work on a craft at their table. They will also sell handmade crafts.

Friday is an optional day for vendors. They will begin setting up in the park at roughly 10:30am. Friday evening the kickoff party runs from 6-8pm under the big tent. This is a potluck, craft-in, and drum circle evening! Bring your hand instruments or handwork, some snacks to share, and plan to relax in the beautiful Colorado evening air.

Saturday the festival continues from 9am - 6pm. Vendors from Colorado, New Mexico and Texas show their wares ranging from yarn/fiber to handmade baskets and gourds to glass & ceramics. The Monte Arts Council will offer demonstrations and face painting all day. At 2pm on Saturday, we'll have music under the big tent. Professional percussionist, teacher, and Cajon maker Andy Skellenger will perform the exciting and rare art of North Indian Tabla. Tabla is one of the most advanced and beautiful forms of hand percussion on the planet. He will also give a performance and demonstration of the amazing Peruvian box drum called Cajon. Andy founded the company Nautilus Custom Cajons and will be bringing a variety of Cajons to try out and to purchase. Andy is based in Crestone Colorado. He has learned Tabla for 10 years under the direction of renowned Tabla maestros, Aloke Dutta and Samir Chatterjee.

The festival hours are 9am - 4pm on Sunday. Annual spinning, knitting, and crochet contests with prizes including a new warping board, Namaste knitting bag, Silk and Angelina spinning basket and more start at 11a.m. There will be a drawing for a Sid Sharples Bulky spinning wheel at 1PM. Tickets, $4 each or four for $15, are available at the festival or in advance at http://www.slvfest.com/ .

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For more information about the SLV Folk and Fiber Arts Festival go to http://www.slvfest.com or call 719-588-5638.