Woodworkweb Note: This article has kindly been approved for publication from the Sunflower Woodworkers Guild (Wichita area) who are one of the clubs who make an ongoing effort to provide OUT-REACH PROGRAMS to the general public to introduce people into the multifaceted world of woodworking. These kinds of demos and interactions are what can usher in younger people into vocations as well as bring new members and attendance to their club meetings.
** Kansas State Fair **
September 15, 2024
Sunflower Woodworkers Guild - website HERE
I will get to the details but first an acknowledgment of six members whose time and expertise as well as their tools made this event possible.
Drill Press - Peg Triangle Game
Scroll Saw - Kansas plaques
Lathe - Turning Techniques / Miscellaneous Items
Routers & Sander - Custom Signs
Sander, cordless drill, Dozuki saw, Wooden Tops
Shaving Horse & Draw Knives - Wood Shavings
Four additional members assisted throughout the day as needed.
Special thanks to members who spent time in their own shops prepping wood for various demonstrations. By 10:00 o'clock we had been assigned our locations and were operational. We were busy all day as you can see by the photos. At 3:30 in the afternoon State
Fair staff came over and gave us the 'time to shut down' signal. We finished with the last of our visitors and started to load out. By 5:00 o'clock equipment was returned to their owners’ vehicles and everyone left for home.
With enough hands it was a busy but not stressful day.
With the exception of the lathe, each of these activities allowed the visitor to use the tools and make something. Even if it was just wood shavings. Feedback was universally positive from young and old alike. We have been invited back next year.
Please consider joining in the fun for this or other Guild activities. If you have an idea for a demonstration even better. The following photos capture a little bit of the day’s activities. Thanks to our man with the camera. We had a little trouble getting the pictures transferred from phones to computers but got them where we needed them which explains why this addendum to the newsletter.