Spring is finally here, and the owners of Double Shoals Cotton Mill are ready to celebrate! "Spring at the Mill: Crafts, Music & Art Festival" is scheduled for Saturday, April 7, 2018, from noon - 5 p.m. at the mill, which is located at 199 Old Mill Rd. in Shelby.
"Spring is just wonderful at the mill," says owner/operator Michael Faucher. "We hope folks will come out and enjoy the spring weather and shop for crafts and artwork. While they are shopping they can also enjoy music by local performers."
This is an outside event, so a rain date has been set for Saturday, April 14, 2018.
Vendors scheduled to participate in the event include Sissy Pierce, Samz Crafts & More, 3 Peas in a Pod, Young Living Essential Oils, BelaSi Boutique, Pampered Chef Consultant Marianne Hand, The Soap Bar Café, D's Creations, Scentsy Consultant Christina Rivenbark, Usborne Books & More, Allegra Nichole Jewelry, Saewulf Expressions, Freedom Farm Soaps, Davis Woodworking, Karen's Karma Koozies, I'd Rather Knot, Designs by Shelle, Red Hands Co-op, Old Mill Art Studio, Nancy's Creations, It Works, Elizabeth Reid Tupperware Products, It's a Southern Thing Monogram by Marah, and Small Town Pottery. Food vendors include Anna's Sweet Treats, Ladybug Farms Bakery, TOP Catering, and One of a Kind Creative Cotton Candy.
Music will be provided throughout the afternoon by Chris Ferree, Bruised Rhino and Roadside Alice.
All funds raised by the event will go towards reopening the mill to the public, according to Faucher.
"So far, our journey with the mill has been frustrating with lots of red tape," he says. "This red tape is preventing the interior of this wonderful historic property from being shared with the public."
But while the interior is still not available for public use, Faucher hopes that this festival will provide a place for local people to relax, unwind and come together in a beautiful location.
"We have the river that runs beside the mill and it's just a beautiful property," he says. "This is a free family-friendly event that will allow folks to unplug and get back to nature."
For more information, visit the mill's web site at
www.DoubleShoalsMill.com or search for "Double Shoals Mill" on Facebook.

By April Hoyle Shauf

Special to Community First Media