Lost And Found In The Pines
The First Annual Pine Barren Makers Fest was the first opportunity I ever had to bring StoneGround ColdBrew to the table and share it with anyone who lost their minds when they realized there was an unexpected cup of iced coffee just a stone throw away. The guests that attended the event on both Saturday and Sunday were incredibly kind and gave everyone the individual attention that each vendor’s inspired craft deserved. Fortuitous the weather was that late September, helping guests arrive quickly and in great numbers. The variety of creations offered by the tables made every conversation unique, every interaction inspiring and every moment one to remember. Over the course of the two days, I got to know wonderful people who had built a dream far more versed and experienced than my own. This inspired me to further commit to my own goals and aspirations knowing there was proof that as your business grows with dedication, so does your passion and your mastery for your craft. This, in essence, was the catalyst for taking a deeper step and committing further to StoneGround Coldbrew. What it is today is a direct correlation to the inspiration, hard work and pride I felt supporting myself and getting to be an equal part of an even more amazing community.
I met a very charismatic shop owner of a small, earthen holistic business by the name of “My Herbal Apothecary”. Not only were all of her packaged items handmade, the natural beauty of the ingredients inside was striking. The blends of different spices and teas was enchanting as was the owners drive to commit to her passion, having driven hours from another state to participate at the festival. Sharing the 10x10 booth with me was an independent baker who, despite a near overwhelming volume of work, handmade beautiful rustic desserts. She effortlessly sold out of her sweets by the end of the event on the second day and shared the same amazing drive to celebrate a victory she earned with her own ambition. The staff working the festival did a commendable job, keeping the grounds clean and organized, while the hosts were sure to check in on the vendors from time to time, who also in the process of planning, executing and communicating factors of the event were more than accommodating with their hospitality. Their fortunes fell when, sometime in the previous year, their own business had experienced a life altering fire and was lost to the destruction. The festival itself was held to recover from the tragedy and bring a community together who showed overwhelming support for them.
Given the circumstances that some vendors travelled far for this opportunity, the grounds were left open for vendors to camp out with their tables, to which I happily decided to do. Among the few that also decided to stay, the owner of “My Herbal Apothecary” did as well, clearly prepared for anything with her gear that served multipurpose to the art. The night spent was wonderful and quiet in the field. My dog, a very young golden retriever named “Reuben” had accompanied me in my stand earlier all that day and joined in the camping festivities. Being the first time sleeping in that scenario, I found that he couldn’t have been happier spending the night laying under the stars away from home.
The last day was as busy and as well attended as the previous day. There was however, a looming thunderstorm in the forecast that turned the last few hours into a nail biting close call. With an hour still left and the festival still in full swing, the black clouds drew a curtain on the sky and felt the need to end the beautiful weekend with an opportunity for the community to get caught in the rain together. Mass exodus ensued, with vendors working together to get everyone’s supplies and products safe at the expense of even their own saturation. In this time, my OWN car battery chose its time and place and I found myself now at the mercy of the kindness of strangers. They quickly rallied to help get my car started and despite the rain and chaos, succeeded. The flat tire however, I hadn’t noticed until I finally was on the road, happily heading home with a new sense of ambition and excited to return next year more experienced, even more creative and just as inspired.
Thank you for reading.
Meet Some of The Wonderful People From the Event!
My Herbal Apothecary
https://www.instagram.com/my_herbal_apothecary/
Four Lemons Bakery
https://www.instagram.com/four.lemons.bakery/
Pine Barren Makers Fest Official Page
https://www.instagram.com/pbmakersfest/
