The Blue Mountain Fiber Guild is gearing up for its annual Fiber Festival on Saturdayat the Big Creek Grange in Lehighton.

The event, located at 275 Grange Road, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Admission and parking are free."I'm excited about the festival," said Kathy Augustine, a member of the Blue Mountain Fiber Guild. "It's great fun."In addition to the vendors, there will be live animals on hand as well.Samantha J's Fiber Farm in Coatesville is bringing angora rabbits; Evalynn Kuehner of Picnic Woods Alpacas in Lehighton is bringingalpacas; and Quinta Melo Gotlands, also in Lehighton, is bringing sheep."It's not too cold, so you can have animals, but it's cold enough you can sell fiber," Augustine said. "Or just come and see the animals. Sheep, alpacas and bunnies, you can't lose."If handmade products are of interest,then the vendors have much to offer, from wooden buttons, soaps and origami ornaments to knitted items.Christine DeSousa, a cataloger and teen group adviser at the Palmerton Area Library, plans to be there with her mother, Trish DeSousa. Christine is an avid weaver and her mother enjoys making stained-glass Christmas trees."Our booth is vast," Christine DeSousa said.The DeSousas plan to havehandmade jewelry, bracelets, candles, stained-glass sun catchers, woven scarves and knitted blankets and clothing.Karen Zimmerman of Walnutport will be bringing a variety of fiber products including her soft-sculpture gnomes. Each gnome is about a foot tall with a huge head, big eyes and friendly grin. He's wearing a sweater with his toes popping out of the bottom."I've been collecting sweaters for years, so it kind of grew out of that idea," Zimmerman said. "I went to a Gnome Fest in Delaware, that's what really pushed me over the edge."Some of the other vendors include New Era Cabin Creations from New Albany, Sew Me Some Fun in Trexlertown, and members of the Mahoning Valley Fiber Guild, Augustine said. And many of the vendors will be demonstrating how they make the items they have for sale."People will be able to see what you are making," DeSousa said.Local 4-H members will be selling locally made hot dogs, haluski, baked goods and other area favorites.Music will be provided by Dave Matsinko, a traditional acoustic musician. He sings and plays music on a guitar, old-time banjo, mandolin and mountain dulcimer from folk and old-time American styles to more modern tunes.