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Well, THAT was fun! For months, from sun-up to sun-down, it’s been a real work of the heart to get everything prepared for the 8th New England Farm and Fiber Festival. What an honor and a pleasure to work with all of those that helped to make it such a success. If you were an attendee, Thank You! for coming out in the bitter cold and windy weather on Sunday to participate in the gathering of fiber enthusiasts. We are so happy you chose to spend time and resources with us! We loved seeing how you explored the marketplace, relaxed in the CommuKnity Lounge, soaked up the Rhode Island Spinners’ Guild demos or the Blue Heron Farm Needle Felting tables, or engaged with the vendors and friends and family. You purchased tickets ahead of time or the day of, brought your friends, traveled distances, made choices to include us in your day, and carried your happiness out into the world. If you were one of the many Volunteers (3 dozen +!), Thank You! I cannot thank you enough. (Also, shout out to Tufts Fiber Arts Club - what an awesome gang!) You did everything - from serving snacks to making tea, winding yarn and selling merch. You stamped hands in the freezing entryway, and you packed, unpacked, packed and more. You gathered and you served. How wonderful are you? If you were one of the many vendors bringing your Best to Boston, Thank You! We know how hard it is to be a farmer, a maker, a small business owner every day of the year and to pack up your wares and schlep them to venues, deal with loading and unloading, loading and unloading. It’s a lot. You donated prizes to our Knit Along! You made do with being moved around or had to pivot to make things work better. And you shared your positivity. Our visitors were sure treated to a feast for the eyes to see all of what you brought. And went home with more than just wares - they went home having learned a bit about a small business owner’s work, or the environment, or tips and tricks for making, to name a few of the intangibles. If you were one of the helpers, you know, the type that lend a hand when you see someone needs it, grabs a coffee for someone, or brings cookies or pastries to share, makes special name tags and sets asides gifts for friends, climbs ladders, folds tables, packs vans - Thank You! Over and over again I was able to witness just the most beautiful interactions between friends, old and new, in this festival setting. We have so many really kind folks that lend their expertise and share their talents, too. Folks that spread good in the world and bring it to us right in Boston. Artists of all kinds, demoing and teaching, bringing supplies for others to learn by, giving their time all day. Thank You. Our presenters that travelled or left their posts to share an informative and entertaining hour of panel discussion, Thank You! Our photographer, Ashley Weeks Cart, Thank You! Our Sponsors supporting this event, Thank You! You contributed in ways that made it easier or better, or both. We’re so grateful. Thank You! to my Team at Wing & A Prayer Farm. At home in Vermont you held down the farm, in Boston you came together to provide ease and joy. You endured snafus left + right. You set your own needs aside while helping to create a major event. We could not have had such a gathering without you. I hope you’re able to take care of yourselves this week and fill your own cups back up. See you for the 9th Annual New England Farm and Fiber Festival on February 7, 2027! - Tammy at Wing & A Prayer Farm
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