Is there anything better than the cool breezes of fall on a warm September day? Enjoying them at a festival of course! While many fests are returning this season after a hiatus through the pandemic, exciting new ones are emerging as well. This weekend, the first ever Glass Art Pumpkin Festival will take place at WGK Glass Art in Toughkenamon, PA, next to the New Garden Flying Field. Friday, September 16th through the 18th, delicate blown glass pumpkins take center stage. There will also be an Artisan Market, live music, a Beer and Wine Garden, Food Trucks, Glass Blowing Demonstrations, and more.
“We have toyed with the idea for a few years but never executed a plan,” says Kimya Williams of WGK Glass Art, who is putting on the festival along with the other artists of the studio, Thomas von Koch and Sandra Jahn. “In 2020 we were invited to a colleague’s glassblowing studio in Ohio to participate in his pumpkin festival.” From that inspiration, this year’s event developed.
The Festival will be a team effort, from the artists of the studio to the local art and community partners. “We have an Artisan Market which includes nine other artists: Skyseed Energy Jewelry, Cook Awesome Food, Reecies Soaps, Silk Road Traders, Terrarium Therapy, Bob's Woods and Wickers, House of the Rising Star Art, Mary Coleman Quilted Art, DeWitt Woodworking.” Local sponsors State Farm and Scotts are supporting the event. Visitors can enjoy beverages from just down the road, including wine from Harvest Ridge Winery and beer from Be Here Brewing.
Of course, the main attraction will be the fabulous art on display throughout the event. “Thomas has been a glassblower for forty years and Sandra for twenty-eight years,” notes Kimya. These experienced artists will show off their skills with live demonstrations throughout the Festival, and people can even sign up for “Make Your Own Glass Pumpkin” classes through the weekend.
Opportunities to create and enjoy art abound. For those who want to stay away from the fire, there are also woodworking, basket weaving, and sewing demonstrations. Terrarium Therapy will have supplies available for guests to make their own terrariums in real pumpkins! In the Kids Corner, there will be Pumpkin Painting, Face Painting, and other activities.
Enjoying the great outdoors is a big part of the festival. “We are on a 9 acre property,” Kimya explains, “and since we moved here, we have always wanted to do more than just produce in our glassblowing studio.” There is a $5 fee for parking, but otherwise no entrance fee, and the parking fee is redeemable on purchases of $35 or more in the Art Gallery throughout the Festival.
“People can expect to have a loads of fun!” Kimya says. There will be a huge glass pumpkin sale all weekend, which is the perfect way to start decorating for autumn. It will be a wonderful experience, Kimya says, and hopefully all will leave with “an appreciation for glassblowing and the hidden treasures in their back yards!”
WGK Glass Art is located at 1255 Newark Road in Toughkenamon, PA. More information about the Glass Art Pumpkin Festival can be found on their website WGKGlass.PatternbyEtsy.com or on social media @WGKGlass.
About Victoria Rose
Victoria Rose (she/her) is an editor, writer, avid reader, self-described geek, and fan of all things creative. Her passion for words has led to her current career as a freelance editor, and she is the owner of Flickering Words, an editing service. When not wielding a red pen (or cursor), she loves reading books of all genres, playing video, board, and word games, baking ridiculous creations to show off on the internet, or enjoying the gorgeous outdoors. She is a board member of the West Chester Film Festival and part of the Thirsty Monsters, a team of streamers from around the world who fundraise for various charities supporting LGBTQIA+ and accessibility rights. She can be found online @WordsFlickering or the Brandywine Art Guide @BrandywineArtGuide.
- Web |
- More Posts(113)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...
Comments