Leather, Lasso, and Woodburning — Festival Workshops With Rules
Offering hands-on Western-themed workshops at country music festivals can transform the attendee experience. Imagine festivalgoers at a country event crafting their own leather souvenirs, learning to throw a lasso, or etching designs with woodburning tools. These interactive activities immerse fans in the culture and give them a personal stake in the event. However, with hammers, ropes, and hot irons in the mix, safety and structure are paramount. Below, we share veteran advice on running these workshops properly — from mandating safety gear to proudly displaying the fruits of attendees’ labor.
Why Hands-On Workshops Enhance Country Festivals
Engaging workshops can elevate a country music festival beyond the stage. Fans today crave experiences: not just watching performances, but doing something memorable themselves. Crafting a leather belt or twirling a lasso connects attendees with the festival’s Western roots. It gives them a story to tell and a keepsake to cherish. Importantly, these hands-on sessions also build a sense of belonging. Strangers at the start of a class often leave as friends, bonded by shared creativity and laughter. A well-run workshop area can become the heart of community at your festival, where attendees swap tips, admire each other’s work, and feel part of a family.
Real-world examples abound. At the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival in California, organizers set up a “Pioneer Corner” where attendees can try leather stamping, candle making, and even pan for gold (scvnews.com). They also offer hourly line-dance lessons with the Bootscoot Bosses crew (scvnews.com). Meanwhile, Canada’s Calgary Stampede and Australia’s Tamworth Country Music Festival celebrate Western heritage by featuring craftspeople and skill demonstrations alongside music. Stagecoach Festival in the US even hosted the Compton Cowboys, who brought horses on-site for trick roping demonstrations (safely enclosed in a pen) (www.lafocusnews.com). These festivals understand that interactive attractions keep people engaged throughout the day. When fans spend the afternoon tooling a custom leather keychain or mastering a rope trick, they’re creating memories — and often wearing those memories proudly around the festival afterward.
That said, offering DIY activities isn’t as simple as plunking down some tools and letting people have at it. Workshops must be planned with care, expertise, and strict safety measures. Attendees may be novices with sharp knives, hot branding irons, or bullwhips in hand — a recipe for disaster without proper oversight. Below, we’ll break down the essential rules for running craft and skill workshops at festivals, drawn from decades of hard-earned production experience.
Safety First: PPE and Preparedness
Every successful workshop starts with safety as the top priority. That means requiring and providing appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for all participants. Simply put, no one handles tools until they’re geared up. Exactly which gear is needed depends on the activity:
- Eye protection – Safety glasses or goggles are a must if there’s any risk of flying debris or sparks. For example, leatherworking often involves hammering punches or cutting with sharp knives; a stray fragment or broken blade can cause injury. Woodburning (pyrography) can sometimes splinter wood or generate sparks, so goggles keep eyes safe (www.scribd.com).
- Gloves and aprons – Heat-resistant gloves should be standard for woodburning workshops so participants don’t brand themselves instead of the wood. Thick leather or cut-proof gloves are wise for leathercraft sessions when handling knives or awls (though you may allow fine motor work without gloves on a case-by-case basis, under close supervision). Leather aprons or old shirts can protect clothing and skin from woodburn burns, dye splashes, or glue spills.
- Closed-toe shoes – It sounds basic, but at a festival many folks are in sandals. Make it a rule that anyone in a workshop dealing with tools, hot objects, or heavy materials must wear closed-toe shoes (and provide disposable shoe-covers or spare boots if necessary). You don’t want a dropped woodburn pen or mallet crushing someone’s flip-flopped foot.
- Hearing protection – If using loud tools or if you have an on-site forge/blacksmith demo, offer earplugs. For most leather, lasso, or woodburning classes this isn’t needed, but keep it in mind for anything with engines or loud banging.
- First aid and fire safety – Have a first-aid kit visibly on hand, and ensure staff are trained to use it. For any workshop involving heat or flame (even a simple pyrography pen), keep a fire extinguisher nearby and train staff how to use it. It’s better to be over-prepared than caught off guard.
Train your staff and instructors to enforce these PPE rules consistently. Don’t assume attendees will know what to wear; make it clear in schedules and signage that “Protective gear is required for participation.” Seasoned festival producers sometimes even turn safety into part of the fun — for instance, handing out branded safety goggles or bandanas at check-in. The bottom line echoed by every event safety manual is “use PPE” (www.scribd.com) and common sense at all times. If an excited fan shows up to woodburn wearing flowing sleeves and no eye protection, be ready to loan them an apron and goggles or kindly turn them away until they’re properly equipped. One mild disappointment at the door prevents a potential injury and far bigger disappointment later.
Also, consider having a Safety Officer or safety team oversee all higher-risk activities. At large events like South Africa’s AfrikaBurn (a regional “burn” festival), having a dedicated Safety Officer on site is actually required by law (www.afrikaburn.com). While your country festival might not mandate it, the principle stands: assign a staff member or two to float specifically around the workshops, looking out for hazards and ready to jump in if an accident does occur. Their sole job is to watch for unsafe behavior (like someone swinging a lasso too close to fellow participants or mishandling a knife) and correct it on the spot. This extra vigilance can catch small issues before they become big problems.
Qualified Instructors Only
Leading a craft workshop is not a job for random volunteers or an afterthought on an artist’s rider. You need trained, competent instructors at the helm of every session. The ideal workshop instructor has mastery of the skill, teaching ability, and a safety mindset. They might be a professional artisan, a local expert, or even a touring demonstrator who frequents fairs and festivals. For example, at the renowned Art of the Cowgirl festival in Arizona, workshops are taught by master craftswomen like silversmith Tia Watson (who leads jewelry-making classes) and saddle-maker Bill Ferreira (artofthecowgirl.com) (artofthecowgirl.com). These pros not only teach techniques, but they know how to keep a group of newbies safe around tools.
When recruiting instructors for your festival workshops, look for a few key qualities:
- Expertise in the craft – They should have demonstrable experience. If it’s a leather tooling workshop, perhaps it’s run by a leatherworker who sells at your festival market. If it’s lasso tricks, maybe a rodeo performer or ranch-hand known for roping. Their expertise lends credibility and ensures they can answer questions and troubleshoot when participants hit snags.
- Teaching or mentoring experience – Not every great artist is great at teaching. Ideally, find folks who have taught classes before or are patient communicators. You want someone who won’t get frustrated by beginners and who can break down tasks into doable steps. Many festivals partner with local craft guilds, maker spaces, or 4-H clubs to source friendly instructors used to working with youth and adults alike.
- Vigilance and calm under pressure – The instructor functionally is the safety supervisor for their session. They must keep an eye on all participants, correct improper tool use immediately, and stay calm if something goes wrong (like a minor cut or a tool malfunction). In vetting instructors, emphasize that safety oversight is part of their duty. Provide them with clear protocols for emergencies (who to call on radio for first aid, etc.).
It’s wise to hold a briefing with all workshop instructors before the festival. Go over your rules (PPE, class size limits, etc.), walk through the workshop space, and ensure they know the location of safety equipment (first aid kits, fire extinguishers). Align everyone on how to handle spectators, how to handle a disruptive participant, and timing cues. When instructors are looped into the event plan, they become partners in risk management rather than just talent you hired for the day.
Finally, consider the ratio of instructors to participants. For a hands-on craft, especially with potentially dangerous tools, a smaller teacher-to-student ratio is highly recommended. If you expect a larger group or a mix of skill levels, add co-instructors or assistants. For example, a woodburning class with 15 people might run much more smoothly with one main instructor teaching and an assistant circulating to help participants and keep an eye on safe tool use. Many events partner a skilled artisan with a festival staff member or volunteer who handles logistics and watches for safety, so the artisan can focus on teaching. However you do it, don’t leave one lone instructor overwhelmed with a crowd; safety and quality will both suffer.
Tool Check-In and Control
In any workshop where you’re handing out equipment — be it carving knives, woodburning pens, mallets, or hatchets — having a tool check-in/checkout system is essential. Treat your tools like the dangerous assets they are: you need to track who has them and ensure they all come back in one piece.
Here are some best practices for tool management at festivals:
- Centralize distribution and return – Set up a “tool counter” or table where participants sign out and return items. For instance, if doing a leather crafting class, have a station where each person receives a toolkit (knife, hole punch, needles, etc.) after giving their name or even a small deposit. When the workshop ends, staff at the counter collect all tools back. Count everything! If something is missing, politely hold participants until it’s found. This process discourages attendees from wandering off with sharp objects. A simple sign-out sheet can log tool counts and participant names.
- Use tokens or IDs for accountability – Some events hold an ID card or ask for a refundable deposit (even $5) when handing out tools. The idea isn’t to make money, but to ensure participants have incentive to return items. At the very least, have them sign a waiver acknowledging they’re borrowing equipment and will use it responsibly and return it. Knowing there’s a record attached to their name often keeps folks more careful.
- Inspect tools between sessions – Festival workshops can be hard on tools. A blade might nick a nail and dull, a woodburner tip might loosen, etc. Have your staff quickly inspect each tool as it’s turned in and again before it’s handed out for the next class. Remove or repair any defective equipment immediately. A regular inspection routine (even something as simple as checking that all screws are tight and no cables are frayed) prevents accidents caused by equipment failure (www.scribd.com). Keep spare tools on hand in case something breaks mid-event.
- Offer instructions on tool use – Don’t assume participants know how to handle that cowboy lariat or carving knife safely. A good workshop begins with a tool safety briefing: e.g., “Always cut away from your hand, keep your non-cutting hand behind the blade; here’s how to safely set down the woodburner so it doesn’t scorch the table,” etc. Reinforce these points throughout the class. Some festivals even post simple infographic signs at each station (“Wear your goggles. Always assume tool is hot/sharp. Ask instructor to check your setup before you begin,” etc.). Tool safety guidance should be part of the workshop culture.
Also, define the workshop area clearly so tools stay in that zone. Rope it off or use tables to create a boundary. Participants shouldn’t take tools outside the workshop space for any reason. If someone needs to step away (phone call, restroom), have them put down their tools on a table before leaving. It’s easy for a well-meaning attendee to step out for a minute with a woodburner still in hand and accidentally bump into someone in the crowd. Prevent that by keeping all equipment within the controlled area.
Lastly, maintain a strict schedule for tool return. If your workshop sessions end at specific times, announce a 5-minute warning for cleanup: “Alright folks, let’s finish up your last cuts and begin returning the tools to the front table.” Many festival producers literally run on timers (more on that below) to ensure there’s time to collect and reset tools between groups. Consider having a dedicated staff member responsible for tool collection at end of each session — someone not actively teaching, so they can focus on rounding up gear while instructors wrap up with participants.
Cap Class Sizes and Watch the Clock
Enthusiasm for a great workshop can easily overrun your capacity if you’re not careful. To keep things safe and enjoyable, it’s crucial to cap class sizes and run the sessions on a reliable timer. There’s a reason many craft workshops at festivals operate in small groups — it’s not just for intimacy, it’s for safety and quality control.
Determine the maximum number of participants that your activity and space can handle at once. This depends on several factors:
- Physical space: How many workstations can you set up without crowding? Each person might need a certain table area to safely lay out tools and work. Overcrowding leads to elbows bumping and accidents. Also consider the radius needed for something like lasso practice — you may only be able to have one or two people spinning a rope at a time in a given area to avoid entanglement.
- Instructor capacity: As discussed, one instructor can only effectively supervise so many people. If you have helpers, you might increase the cap, but know your limits. It’s often better to run more frequent small sessions than one huge free-for-all. For example, a leather-crafting booth at Glampfest (UK) limited their workshops to just 3 people per session (ddpractical.co.uk), to ensure every participant got guidance and stayed safe. Three! That’s an extreme small group, but those attendees likely had a fantastic experience with lots of one-on-one help. Find the sweet spot for your activity — whether it’s 5, 10, or 15 people at a time — and stick to that limit even if more are clamoring to join.
- Equipment available: If you have 8 woodburning pens, you can host at most 8 active participants (you don’t want people sharing a hot pen mid-workshop). Same with number of sewing tools, lathes, etc. The number of tool sets you can provide often dictates class size. Always have at least one spare set in case of malfunction, but don’t exceed what you can supply.
Once you set a class size cap, manage sign-ups or lines accordingly. The worst scenario is an eager crowd and turning people away last-minute. To avoid disappointment, use a ticketed signup system if possible. For instance, you could have advance online registration for limited workshop slots (Ticket Fairy’s ticketing platform makes this easy by allowing timed-entry or add-on tickets for workshops alongside the main festival pass). If advance signup isn’t feasible, then manage it on-site with clear schedules and a first-come ticket handout each day. Give out numbered tokens for each session early in the day — that way, people know if they’re in or not, and they can come back at their session time instead of forming chaotic queues. However you do it, be transparent about the limited capacity before folks start lining up, and offer alternatives (like “if 2 PM is full, come back for the 4 PM session, or observe from outside the area”).
Running on timers is equally important. Festivals are busy; you likely have multiple sessions to get through, and attendees appreciate knowing how long an activity will take. Define the workshop duration (30 minutes? 45? 60?) and communicate it clearly. Then enforce it. Use an actual visible timer or alarm if needed. Seasoned workshop organizers often set a phone alarm or have a clock in view. The instructor can give gentle time reminders as the end approaches (“10 minutes left to finish up your design”). Ending on time ensures you have a buffer to clean and reset for the next group and prevents overlap that could double your class size unintentionally.
Structured timing can even be part of the fun. For instance, some workshops turn it into a friendly challenge: “You’ve got 5 minutes left to add any final flourishes to your woodburned sign!” This creates urgency for participants to complete their piece and signals observers that a session is concluding. It also helps with spectator management; when one group finishes and clears out, you can usher in the next.
In practice, tight timing and class caps might mean some people don’t get to participate due to popularity. Consider repeating popular workshops multiple times or over multiple days to meet demand. If you notice every session booked out early, maybe next year expand that offering or add another instructor to run a second station concurrently. It’s a good problem to have — it means fans love the activity. But never sacrifice the cap or cut a session short just to squeeze more people in ad-hoc. The moment you overload a workshop, you invite accidents and diminish the experience for those who are there. Far better to have 8 people leave thrilled about the hour they spent than 16 who had a chaotic, unsafe rush.
A tip: use signage to politely hold the line. Something like “Maximum 10 participants per session. Next sessions: 2:00 PM & 4:00 PM. Please register at info booth or arrive early.” This sets expectations. And empower your workshop staff to say no when the limit is reached — it’s tough, but necessary. They can invite extra folks to watch from a safe distance (more on that next) or direct them to the next session.
Keep Spectators at a Safe Distance
Workshops tend to attract onlookers — friends of participants snapping photos, or curious passersby drawn by the smell of leather and wood smoke. Accommodating spectators is fine, but you must keep them separate from any hazards. In your workshop layout, design a clear boundary beyond which only authorized participants and staff may enter. This could be a fence, rope, caution tape, tables forming a barrier, or even chalk lines on the ground. The goal is to prevent an excited observer from wandering into the line of fire (or line of swing, in the case of lassos and whips!).
For activities involving swinging or throwing (lasso roping, whip cracking, hatchet throwing, archery), a generous safety perimeter is non-negotiable. Rope off a large area and enforce a rule that no one crosses the barrier while the activity is underway. Many events put up signs: “Participant Zone: No Spectators Beyond This Point.” You might designate a viewing area a few meters back where people can still see and cheer but are out of harm’s reach. At Stagecoach and other festivals that host rodeo skills demos, horses and lasso routines are kept in fenced pens or arenas for this reason (www.lafocusnews.com). In Santa Clarita’s Cowboy Festival, the trick roper performs in an open space with a big buffer, ensuring loops and lashes don’t snag the crowd (scvnews.com).
For crafting workshops (leatherwork, woodburning, etc.), the hazards are more localized (sharp tools, hot tips), but you still need separation. It’s wise to have a clearly defined entry/exit for the workshop tent or area. Perhaps use tables to make a U-shape, with the open end being the only doorway. Spectators can stand outside that perimeter. This prevents random people from strolling up behind someone who’s focused on carving with a knife — startling a working participant could lead to a slip. It also protects valuables; your participants will likely have bags or phones at their feet while they work, and a defined area keeps opportunistic thieves or oblivious pedestrians from tripping over personal items.
Another benefit of separating spectators: it helps instructors maintain control. They know exactly who is under their supervision (those inside the zone) versus who is just watching. If a spectator has a question, they can flag down staff rather than interrupting the class flow. And if, say, a child is watching mom do woodburning, that child stays on the far side of the table or fence — no little hands reaching for a hot iron. One festival organizer recounts how at a craft tent, an enthusiastic onlooker leaned in too close to see a demo and knocked a container of leather dye all over the table. A simple barrier would have kept that person at a safer distance and the mess off the workspace.
Plan for crowd flow around your workshop. Festivals are dynamic environments; you don’t want your workshop to cause an obstruction in a busy walkway or become a fire hazard with clumps of people. If your activity is popular, consider an adjacent viewing area where 10–20 people can comfortably stand without blocking traffic. Use signage or even a staff member to manage that crowd if it grows. Sometimes setting up a few benches a short distance away can invite spectators to sit and watch, which naturally keeps them out of the work zone. The key is to let interested onlookers enjoy the scene without becoming participants by accident.
Finally, for any potentially dangerous activity, have a plan to pause or stop if boundaries are breached. Instructors and staff should be empowered to halt the workshop immediately if, for example, a spectator ducks under the rope or a child runs into the area. Regain control, politely move the person back to safety, then resume. It’s much better to lose 30 seconds of class time than to have an avoidable injury. Establish a hand signal or code word among staff if needed (“Red flag!”) to communicate when something’s amiss. In a woodburning class, that might mean all pens get unplugged or set down until the situation is sorted. In a lasso demo, it might mean the cowboy stops twirling his rope until people step back. Safety overrides showmanship, every time.
Showcase Finished Pieces and Celebrate Participants
One of the most rewarding aspects of running workshops is seeing the pride on attendees’ faces when they complete their creation. Capitalize on that positive energy by showcasing the finished pieces proudly. This not only delights the participants, it also draws more interest to your workshops and spreads a sense of community accomplishment across the festival.
There are many ways to display or celebrate what people made:
- End-of-class show-and-tell: Dedicate the final few minutes of each session for participants to hold up their work and applaud each other. It’s a simple gesture that makes people feel great. A quick group photo with everyone showing their leather keychain or woodburned plaque can capture the moment (you might even share these on the festival’s social media or in next year’s promotions!). Be sure to get permission for photos, especially if kids are involved, but many will be thrilled to be featured.
- On-site display board or gallery: If space permits, set up a board or wall where you can pin or hang some creations for the duration of the festival. For instance, if folks woodburned small signs or leather-tooled patches, ask if they’d like to add them to the “Festival Craft Gallery” for everyone to admire. Even better, turn it into a friendly contest where attendees vote on their favorite piece for a small prize or simply for bragging rights. This kind of display not only celebrates the creators, but also entices other festivalgoers to check out the workshops (“Wow, where did you guys make those cool wooden coasters? I want to try!”).
- Stage or MC shout-outs: If your festival has an MC or announcer, have them periodically mention workshop successes. E.g., “Give it up for our crafty cowboys and cowgirls – 20 people just finished making custom tooled leather bracelets at the Craft Corral! They’re on display by the tent; go take a look!” Public recognition makes participants feel valued and reinforces that the festival cares about more than just the headline acts.
- Social media and hashtags: Encourage participants to share their finished pieces on social media using the festival’s hashtag. You can even create a specific hashtag for workshops (e.g., #CountryFestCrafts). Attendees posting their new handmade cowboy hatbands or burnt-wood art will generate buzz. Repost some of these on the festival’s official account (with credit) to show off the fun. This not only celebrates the individual but also provides authentic promotion for your event’s unique offerings.
- Take-home packaging: If displaying on-site isn’t feasible, at least help participants protect and show off their work on the way home. Provide paper bags or small boxes and stamp them with the festival logo. It’s a nice touch that says “we’re proud you made this at our festival.” And as people carry those bags around the grounds, it naturally sparks conversations: “Oh, what’s that? You made a leather wallet here? How do I sign up?”
Celebrating the output of workshops feeds into the core idea that hands-on builds belonging. When attendees see their work appreciated by others, it validates their effort and cements a positive memory tied to your festival. For many, that leather key fob or woodburned ornament will become a cherished souvenir – because it’s something they made themselves. Every time they look at it, they’ll recall not just the music they heard, but the whole experience of creating and learning and laughing with new friends under the festival sun.
As a producer, lean into this. You can even invite participants to return next year and facilitate a workshop themselves if they’ve developed a passion for the craft. In that way, your festival becomes a springboard for ongoing community involvement. One year an attendee learns to rope; next year they might volunteer to help children practice basic lasso tricks in the family area. This passing of the torch keeps the cycle of engagement alive and thriving.
Conclusion: Plan, Execute, and Enjoy the Magic
Running “Leather, Lasso, and Woodburning” workshops (or any hands-on activities) at a festival is certainly extra work and responsibility – but the payoff is huge. With proper planning, clear rules, and dedicated staffing, these workshops can be safe, smooth, and hugely rewarding for everyone involved. It comes down to thinking like a wise old trail boss: anticipate dangers, set the boundaries, equip your crew and herd (attendees) with what they need, and then let them have the adventure of a lifetime.
Remember, a festival is ultimately about connecting people – to art, to culture, to each other. When a person at your country music festival sits down at a workbench and learns a new skill, they’re not just killing time between concerts. They’re forming a deeper connection to the festival’s spirit and history. They’re meeting fellow fans in a collaborative setting. They’re gaining an appreciation for the artisans and pioneers who came before. And they’re going home with more than a T-shirt; they carry a sense of pride and belonging that can last far beyond the closing encore.
As you implement these workshops, you’ll likely discover your own lessons and creative tweaks. Embrace those. Maybe you’ll start a tradition of an annual craft showcase on the final day, or publish a little “festival craft booklet” with instructions so folks can continue the hobby later. Perhaps you’ll invite the local community to join in, strengthening bonds between the festival and its host town. The possibilities are endless once you have a strong, safe foundation in place.
By sharing both the successes and the hard-earned lessons (the mistakes, the near-misses, the fixes), we keep the festival world innovating and improving. So don’t be afraid to iterate on your workshop offerings each year. Talk to participants – what did they love, what challenges did they face? Debrief with instructors and staff – what can be improved in logistics or safety? Continuous improvement is the name of the game in festival production.
With the practical tips outlined above, you’re well on your way to conducting craft workshops that run like a well-oiled machine (or perhaps like a well-tuned guitar). Gear up, rope off, and let the creativity flow! Done right, your “leather, lasso, and woodburning” sessions will not only be incident-free, but will also become legendary highlights of your country music festival, talked about for years to come.
Key Takeaways
- Integrate workshops to enrich the festival experience: Hands-on activities like leather crafting, lasso lessons, and woodburning add interactive fun and deepen attendee engagement at country music festivals.
- Prioritize safety at all times: Require appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, etc.) for participants and have safety gear readily available (www.scribd.com). Keep first aid and fire extinguishers on hand, and consider assigning a dedicated safety officer or team to oversee workshops (www.afrikaburn.com).
- Use qualified instructors: Employ experienced artisans or skilled practitioners to lead each workshop (artofthecowgirl.com). Ensure they are adept at teaching beginners and maintaining a safe environment, not just at the craft itself.
- Manage tools and materials carefully: Implement a check-in/checkout system for tools to track their use and prevent loss or mishaps. Inspect equipment between sessions for any damage (www.scribd.com). Give clear safety instructions for tool handling at the start of every class.
- Limit class sizes: Cap the number of participants per session to what instructors and the space can safely handle. Small groups ensure everyone gets attention and reduces accident risk. It’s better to have more sessions with fewer people each than one overcrowded workshop (ddpractical.co.uk).
- Stick to a schedule: Time your workshops and keep them on schedule. Use alarms or staff prompts to start and end on time. This allows proper cleanup/reset and keeps eager next-session participants from overlapping with current ones.
- Separate spectators from hazards: Create a defined boundary for each workshop where only participants and staff are allowed. Rope off areas for swinging lassos or other dangerous demos, and keep onlookers at a safe distance (www.lafocusnews.com) (scvnews.com).
- Encourage pride and display finished work: Celebrate what participants make. Do quick show-and-tells, display items in a gallery, and invite attendees to share on social media. Showing off their creations builds attendee pride and spreads positive buzz about the workshops.
- Build community through interaction: Recognize that these hands-on sessions aren’t just about the craft – they foster connections among festivalgoers. The camaraderie and confidence built in workshops can boost the overall festival atmosphere.
- Learn and adapt: After each festival, review what went well and what didn’t. Gather feedback from instructors and participants to improve workshop offerings. Continuous improvement will help your festival’s interactive components thrive year after year.
By following these guidelines, festival producers can safely harness the charm of leather, lasso, and woodburning workshops. With the right rules in place, hands-on activities will run smoothly, delight attendees, and become a signature element of your country music festival’s identity. Yee-haw and happy crafting!