Local artisans will once again be travelling across the waters for the 31st annual Filberg Festival in Comox this weekend.
The festival, which takes place at Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park, showcases the work of over 120 quality artisans and musicians from across Western Canada. It runs from Friday, August 2, through Monday, August 5, and attendees can purchase everything from jewellery to pottery to metalwork.
For most Powell River artisans who the jury approved for the festival this year, the Filberg is old hat. Clothing designer Alisha van Belle of Jo’momma Designs will be attending the festival for her seventh year, painter Autumn Skye Morrison for her sixth. Toymaker Eric Renken of Jalu Wood Creations, has been going for over a decade.
But for Ravenbeak Natureworks, a local company that offers bows handcrafted from natural materials along with bow-making workshops, this is only year two.
“A lot of the things we do with our business, we’re happy to try it once and see if it works,” explained bowyer Jamie MacDonald. Last year, the festival worked quite well, he said. Ravenbeak filled up its two fall workshops in Comox, sold a couple of bows and a bunch of arrows.
Yew wood buttons and dice made specially for the show were a particular success. MacDonald said he plans to take more of these smaller items this year. “We want to have more things people can buy with small bills, versus larger ticket items,” he said.
Ravenbeak is not new to the festival circuit. It attends the annual BC Hunting Show, and this year it was at hunting shows in both Edmonton and Calgary.
But at the Filberg, Ravenbeak is somewhat of an oddity. With clothing and pottery galore, the festival caters to the artsy type, said MacDonald. “It’s an interesting clientele, but we also get a lot of feedback,” he explained.
Ravenbeak is used to it, though. Even at hunting shows, it stands out. “Those shows are more geared toward technology—bigger, faster, better,” MacDonald explained. “We’re more of a throwback to history and tradition.”
Though the company didn’t get the spot it wanted this year—its location is without any shade—MacDonald said he is happy just to be going. “I think even just getting into the show gives you a sense of credibility,” he said. “Regardless of how the show goes, it’s a bit of an honour just to be there.”
The Filberg Festival, which attracts more than 20,000 people every year, runs from 10 am to 6 pm Friday to Sunday and from 10 am to 5 pm on Monday. Admission fees are $15 for the day or $40 for the entire weekend.
Residents travelling across the water to peruse the festival can make use of a shuttle service from the ferry terminal to the festival. Shuttles leave at 9:45 am and 1:45 pm, and return at 2:30 and 6:30 pm. Round trip costs $25.
