Malabar Farm hosting fall fiber art show, 'Ceely'

LUCAS — Malabar Farm is the place to be this weekend for fans of spinning and weaving.

It's also the place to be for those who love a good drama.

The classic setting will host the Malabar Farm Spinning and Weaving Guild's fall fiber art show from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The historical drama "The Ghost of Ceely Rose" will take place at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday with an optional dinner at 6 p.m.

Both opened last weekend.

The fall fiber art show is a celebration of the spinning and weaving guild, which has been around for 25 years.

With more than 70 members, the guild is going strong.

"We've had quite a few people joining," said Victoria Cochran, the guild's president.

Guild members will be in the visitor center for the fall fiber art show. Guests can visit this "sheep to shawl" experience. The guild actually has sheep at Malabar.

"People can interact and try their hand at it," Cochran said.

The guild is involved in education and community work. Cochran said members make items for homeless people in three counties.

Cochran is also the coordinator of special events for the Malabar Farm Foundation, which is sponsoring "Ceely." She is excited for people to see the multimedia event.

The drama will be presented in a format that includes music, storytelling, historic photos and acting in a Chautauqua-style performance.

"The coolest thing about it is they have a screen behind them," Cochran said. "Some people are saying they like it better (than the play). It's a different format."

For the uninitiated, Ceely Rose murdered her parents and her brother with rat poison in 1896. They are buried across from Malabar Farm. The salacious story was the inspiration for part of a book by Louis Bromfield.

The evening will be capped off by stories of Ceely ghost sightings.

Tickets are $20 for the drama and $15 for the meal. Groups of 20 or more pay $17 for tickets. People can call Cochran at 419-892-2929 or go to mansfieldtickets.com.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill