The Lancaster County WoodCarvers group will hold its 50th annual Woodcarving Festival on Saturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Millersville University's Student Memorial Center, 108 Shenks Lane, Millersville. 

Parking is free. Admission is free for those with a military ID and for students with high school or post-high school student ID.    

"It's going to be the largest show we've had," said Jeffrey Pretz, who is a member of the Lancaster County WoodCarvers. "We're having commemorative carving knives created that will be for sale. We're having the Caricature Carvers of America. There will be a lot of bird carvers and spoon carvers and other kinds of carvings, as well."

The featured guest carver will be Joe You, past president of Caricature Carvers of America. A retired dentist from California, You is regarded as a creative and accomplished caricature carver.

"People can come to purchase supplies for carving as well as carvings that are handmade by individuals who are there," Pretz said. "They can also come for inspiration of a great hobby."

Among the 60 exhibitors will be members of the Lancaster County WoodCarvers' sister clubs, including the American National Cane Club (ANCC), a club that focuses on canes and walking sticks and meets monthly in Lancaster County; the Manheim Township WoodCarvers, a club that focuses on carving together and crafting Christmas ornaments for hospice and meets monthly in Lancaster County; the Conewago Carvers, a club that meets in East Berlin; the West Shore Woodcarvers, a club that is active in Mechanicsburg; the Yorkarvers, a club from York; the PA Delaware Valley Woodcarvers, a club from Bucks County; and the William Rush Woodcarvers, a club in Media. The Pennsylvania Gourd Society will present a display of its art with gourds. 

There will be a free hands-on carving station for new carvers or those who just want to try carving. All supplies and tools will be available for use with basic safety and techniques shared. Instruction and guidance will be provided by club members. Each session will take about an hour and will start on the hour and on the half hour. At the end of the hour, most will leave with their carved project. Participants must be at least 18 years old, and everyone must sign a waiver to participate in a session. 

Original woodcarvings will be available for purchase from many of the artists and carvers. Vendors will also sell carving and art tools, supplies, books, and wood. Among the vendors expected are Art From the Bark, Kathryn and Dennis Overcash from Rhoadesville, Va.; Badger State Blades, Ashten Brown from Wisconsin; Hillcrest Carving, Don Swartz from Lancaster County; Ritter Carvers Inc., Barbara Ritter from Colmar; The Carving Glove Guy, Don Butler from Michigan; and Windy Cape Studios, Joshua Walters from Annville.

Professional sharpening will be available for woodcarving knives and gouges. A silent auction will be held for a number of carvings and wildlife art donated by exhibitors and club members, as well as a variety of other items. Proceeds from the silent auction will be split between the club's Beginner Carver Fund and one local nonprofit organization.

Door prizes of carvings done by the Lancaster County WoodCarvers will be awarded regularly throughout the festival. 

The Lancaster County WoodCarvers group, made up of 75 members, meets the third Tuesday evening of each month at Community United Methodist Church, 130 Tennyson Drive, Lancaster. Carving starts at 6 p.m. with a meeting and show-and-tell at 7 p.m.

The group holds an "open carve" at Community United Methodist Church on the first Thursday of every month at 9 a.m.and 6 p.m.

"It's an outlet for my creativity," Pretz said. "But also there are a lot of books and patterns that you can copy. It's something you can do that's not noisy, you're using your hands, and you can do it almost any place."