A gala community celebration of traditional arts, crafts, and entertainments of Central Arizona.

Since 1973, hundreds of community volunteers have congregated on the beautiful grounds of the Sharlot Hall Museum [locate] to demonstrate the arts, skills and entertainments of Arizona’s territorial and early statehood days.

Spinning, weaving, and candle making were once skills considered essential to the life of every American. Nowadays few of us will shiver all night without a quilted coverlet on the bed or read in the dark for want of a hand-dipped candle. Many of these former necessities are now the luxuries that enrich our lives while maintaining our connection to the ones who came before us.

Come to the 35th Annual Folk Arts Fair on June 7th and 8th to see how things were once done. Watch sheep being sheared and horses shod. You’ll see chair caning, basket making and antique printing demonstrations. Special activities for kids include butter churning, gold panning and cornhusk doll making. Listen to old-time fiddlers and acoustic bands. Catch some clogging and contra dancing. And yes, we’ll dip candles, too.

Are we making you long for a bit of ‘the good old days’? Bring the family to experience the crafts and amusements of a time gone by. Skilled demonstrators will be here to amaze you with their handiwork and talents from a simpler time in Arizona.