by Aeron Noe

The Kings Mountain Art Fair is ranked one of the top five fine crafts fairs in California. The redwoods provide a stunning natural gallery for fine art. Photo courtesy of Phyllis Neumann.

Aug. 1, 2010 — For 47 years, a magical transformation has occurred on Kings Mountain over Labor Day weekend. The rural firehouse and surrounding redwood forest become the center of a bustling festival with fine art, good food and smiling people.

The 2010 Art Fair Sourcebook, a market-leading guide to art fairs around the country, rated the Kings Mountain Art Fair one of the top five fine crafts fairs in California. Kings Mountain was the only one of these fairs that is 100 percent volunteer-run. This distinguishes the fair, which raises money for the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Kings Mountain Elementary School, as a true grassroots event.

“Fair goers see the smiles on the faces of the people working there, they see the children pulling the cookie wagons, and they experience the high quality of the art in a redwood forest setting. It’s unique,” said Dawn Neisser, executive director of the fair.

It takes more than 400 volunteers to operate the three-day event, and these workers do everything: manage the jury application process, help the artists set up their booths, maintain the grounds, prepare and sell all the food and beverages, and more. For some volunteers, this is a year-round job. Others sign up to work shifts during the fair, enjoying the quality time spent with neighbors.

Volunteers greet fairgoers at the entrance to the Kings Mountain Art Fair, offering maps and information. Photo: Aeron Noe.

The juried event culls 130 fine artists and craftspeople across a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, woodwork, textiles, sculpture, toys, furniture and more. Mountain Folk Art showcases 25 more craftspeople, all local, and Kiddie Hollow provides popular arts and craft activities for children.

Visit the fair Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Sept. 4-6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 13889 Skyline Blvd., Woodside. Admission and parking are free.

All ages work the Kings Mountain Art Fair, including children. These two local boys are helping pick up litter to keep the fair clean. Photo: Aeron Noe.