The Frederick Fiber Fest began its journey in 2016, born from the passionate hands of one of our very own employees, Dawn Dayhoff, who was taught to knit and crochet by her cousin. She enjoyed the process of selecting yarn colors and textures and using her skills to create beautiful and functional items such as scarves, hats, blankets, and garments. She found it to be a calming and meditative experience and enjoyed joining knitting circles and attending fiber festivals with friends.

With a heart attuned to the bustling pulse of the crafting community, she embarked on a mission, fueled by conversations with artisans at numerous other gatherings. These artisans voiced their frustrations over lengthy vendor waitlists and overcrowded venues, yearning for a platform where their creations could flourish without constraints.

Driven by the overwhelming response from both vendors and attendees, we quickly outgrew our humble quarters at the newspaper building. Consequently, we migrated to the local fairgrounds, expanding our horizons to accommodate the burgeoning community of producers, dyers, and makers.