The Lake Eden Arts Festival was alive with fantastic creatures and creative energy this past weekend. The three-day festival seeks to connect cultures and create community through music and the arts.

Cold weather camping may not be ideal for everyone but an outdoor festival that sets the groundwork for participants to reconnect with family, nature, art and themselves may be just what the doctor ordered.

The Lake Eden Arts Festival is an opportunity to get away from the confines and distractions of modern life and escape into the embrace of family, friends and creative energy. Sans television, microwave or shower facilities, one is guided to the next destination by one’s own feet.

The ride into the Lake Eden Arts Festival from festival parking can be seen as a transition period to assist festival participants in acclimating from work to play. The purple bus is filled with plush seats, framed artwork and live music.

Children at LEAF are treated to face painting, elaborate costumes and lots of artistic expression.

Folks set up camp around the lake and got busy with various attractions. At seven different locations, events were going on around the clock, from Thursday to Sunday evening.

The weather was another opportunity to connect with nature. Festival participants were able to truly focus on the elements of survival this weekend, such as battling weather conditions and concentrating on what is most important in life: keep moving and feed your body well. Luckily, food vendors provided numerous organic, vegan, homemade and locally grown dining options.

Happenings at LEAF

Time at camp was spent relaxing with family and friends. Many spontaneous jam sessions were enjoyed around camp fires.

Children were assisted to try on as many costumes as they liked. There were gorillas, dinosaurs, fancy dresses and more. Children could also paint a magic wand or create a troll figurine.

On Friday evening, youngsters sat with their parents watching the Asheville International Children’s Film Festival. They were thrilled to sit in front of such a big screen outside with so many friends. As the cold set in, many went indoors to sit by a roaring fire and listen to Bedtime Stories with Sarah Eshan.

Back at camp, folks were preparing snacks and hunkering down for the night. Around elevated camp fires, impromptu groups formed to play flute, guitar and banjo.

On Saturday more opportunities abounded to embrace art and creative expression. Children and adults played Frisbee, ball and utilized huge rubber hoola hoops by the lake. They were accompanied by bands such as the Horse Flies, the Battlefield Band and the Squirrel Nut Zippers. The River Guerguerian Project also inspired with sounds of pulsating percussion and Jarrett Leone on Didjeridoo.

Entertainment at LEAF’s Kid’s Village included music, comedy, film and more.

The spectacle of giant creatures, outlandish costumes and smiling kids got everyone excited and moving. When the Blue Fairy arrived on stilts, all were in on the magic.

She sprinkled fairy dust on children’s heads and told them to close their eyes and make a wish. “She’s a real fairy!” exclaimed one child.

Children performers also got a chance to display their talents. Youngsters took turns playing the violin, dancing and performing tricks. A kid’s market allowed young artists and entrepreneurs to market their goods. One child used over 700 pipe cleaners to create an amazing python. Others sold tie-dyed t-shirts, candles and other hand-made items.

As evening fell once again, folks walked back to camp to snuggle near fires. Entertainers inspired visions of enchantment along the way. Two performers with Rhythm Fire and Dance enthralled a crowd by the lake.

Accentuated by Hawaiian drum beats, the two performers twirled rings of fire. The fire itself seemed to dance in the blackness, and the crowd oohed and aahed in delight.

LEAF’s 30th Celebration will be held May 6-9, 2010. The festival is held at Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain. Visit www.theLEAF.org for more information.