On Saturday, Dec. 7, in the midst of the darkest time of the year, the Nelson Waldorf School invites the community to join in celebrating the wonder and beauty of the winter season at the annual Winter Faire. The Waldorf campus is transformed into a winter village, offering a variety of activities.
“It doesn’t feel like the holidays until I have been to the Winter Faire. ... It’s a cozy, heart-warming event,” says Waldorf parent Kiomi Tucker.
There are activities for all ages, which are meant to evoke the beauty and wonder of light, nature, and community during the winter season. In the twinkling cedar dome of the Cookie Kingdom, kings and queens share stories and offer children a delicious cookie.
Candle dipping offers a silent, meditative experience that captures the peace and beauty of the festivals of light. Winter crafts give the opportunity to relax and engage in natural craft making, while the Snowflake Theatre will present puppet shows with Maria Seeger.
Hungry folks can grab a bite to eat at the Fireside Café or the Rudolf Café. There are a few options for holiday shopping as well. For the first time since the pandemic, the school is hosting the Silver King Artisan Market in the gym where people can peruse natural crafts and homemade wares made by local artisans. In the Children Only Store, little ones can shop for small, homemade treasures for friends and family. And for those wishing to be gentle on the planet and buy reused items, the Enchanted Shelf offers a selection of used books, games and puzzles.
In addition to experiencing the magic of the Winter Faire, there is also the opportunity to view student work and ask questions at the Waldorf education information area. Until Dec. 15, the Nelson Waldorf School is offering an exceptional opportunity for new and returning families — free tuition for the remainder of the year. The Winter Faire is the perfect occasion to catch a glimpse of the school or call NWS at 250-352-6919 for more information.
All children's activities are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the Artisan Market is open until 4 p.m. Entrance is free and tickets for activities are purchased at the event (cash only). Find the Nelson Waldorf School five minutes from Nelson on Highway 6, heading toward Ymir.
