Fall Creek Falls State Park Offers Basket Weaving Workshop Feb. 27-28

PIKEVILLE, Tenn. – Fall Creek Falls State Park is offering a basket-making workshop February 27-28, 2009, for participants interested in learning a new craft or refining existing skills.

Participants will learn the basics of basket weaving, with the opportunity to weave a small wooden “bottom” basket on Friday evening and a larger bottom basket on Saturday. With more than 20 years of experience, Jim and Nancy Phillips will serve as class instructors. There is a limit of 20 people per class for this workshop.

Classes will begin on Friday evening at 6 p.m. and on Saturday at 9 a.m. The fee for the workshop is $40 per person and prior registration is required. While most of the materials will be provided as part of the workshop fee, there a few items participants will be responsible for, including a yardstick, sharp scissors and 12-15 clothespins. 

Fall Creek Falls Inn will offer special room packages for the craft workshop weekend. The package for participants is based on double occupancy for two nights, and includes breakfast Saturday and Sunday, for $134.28 (tax excluded). Workshop registration for daily commuters not purchasing the package will begin Monday, Feb. 16. 

Fall Creek Falls State Park has been voted by visitors to be one of the top family destinations in the Southeast. Protected within its boundaries are beautiful waterfalls, tremendous canyons and dense forest. The park has a 250-site campground, a hotel and conference center and 30 cabins. It is located 40 miles south of Cookeville, and 65 miles north of Chattanooga, atop the western edge of the beautiful Cumberland Plateau. For more information about the park and its activities, visit the Web site at www.tnstateparks.com/fallcreekfalls.

For more information about the craft workshop weekend or to register for a workshop, please call the Betty Dunn Nature Center at (423) 881-5708. For reservations at the park’s inn, call the Tennessee State Parks reservation line toll free at 1-800-250-8610.