The inaugural Milk and Mallets Festival comes to Winchester during Dairyfest weekend August 6-8.
The festival will feature 19 stone carvers, ranging from hobbyists to professionals.
Some carvers are currently working at Parliament Hill restoring the West block.
The festival starts Saturday, August 7 at 7 a.m. when the carvers receive an Indiana limestone piece with dimensions up to 14” x 12” x 9” and get to work, using only hand tools. The public is invited to watch free of charge as these talented craftsmen transform a block of stone into a piece of art.
The art work will be turned over to the Winchester Park committee, whereby the pieces will be auctioned off at 5 p.m. Sunday Aug 8at the Lions pavilion with proceeds going towards the new “Sweet Corner Park” in Winchester.
Co-organizer Dan Barber, who has taken part in numerous festivals in Europe, believes this is a first of its kind in North America.
This festival is also about a bond that exists within the sculpting community and also the camaraderie that is formed when fellow carvers get together and share their carving experiences with each other.
Check out www.winchesterdairyfest.com and click on the Saturday, August 7 tab for details and also check out web links of our registered entrants.