North Star House Festival

The North Star house in it's hey-day.

May was an insane busy month for me, as was April.  June is looking pretty busy as well.  But that's good because that means that the soap biz is booming!  In April, we did Green Fest in San Francisco, it was an amazing event!  We hope to return in November, but I gotta see if that will fit into our schedule.  More on that later.

I also taught a couple soap making classes.  I had awesome students because everybody did a fabulous job of making soap.  I'm hoping to squeeze in another class in June and/or July, we'll see.  If there is any interest out there, please let me know and I can notify you directly when class dates are set.

All that aside, there is another cool event coming up on Saturday, June 4th, 10:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.  It's the North Star House Festival and the theme is "Race day at the house".  There is a historic story behind that theme and I'll get to that later.  For now, all you need to do is put this event on your calendar.  Here's what's happening that day:

• Live music!
• Antique cars!
• Free activities: games, prizes, magic, arts & crafts!
• Picnic on the lawn (BYO or buy there)!
• Growers market!

Pretty cool, eh?  No fees for parking or admittance (how cool is that? a rare free event).

If you've never been to the North Star house, you'll want to check it out.  Did you know that this historic structure was designed by Julia Morgan (of Hearst castle fame)?  Built in the early 1900's by the Foote family, it was once a grand manor but over the years has fallen into disrepair due to neglect and vandalism.  Such a sad story!  But, thanks to the North Star Conservancy, it is slowly coming to life again, starting with the beautiful grounds.  

Just one mile from historic downtown Grass Valley, it's easy to get to.  If you're coming from out of town, come up highway 49 and take the exit for McCourtney Road / Nevada County fairgrounds.   Turn left on Old Auburn road and drive about 1/2 mile.  The entrance to the house is on the left, a gated gravel road.  Head up the drive and be amazed by this jewel in the rough.

And the historic event?  It's a celebration of the 100th anniversary of A.B Foote’s Model T race to Tahoe City in 1911.  Pretty cool!  So pack up the kids, grandma and grandpa, grab a blanket and a picnic lunch and head on up to the house on June 4th for a super fun time. 

We will be there with our soap booth, since we're part of the growers market.  So I hope you'll come by and say hello!  

1.