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ROC Day: Weavers of Char-Lee continue centuries-long tradition

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In honor of a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, the 13th annual ROC Day will take place this weekend in Cape Coral.

Hosted by the Weavers of Char-Lee, the “ROC Your Day” event will be held on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library. ROC Day, or “Distaff Day,” was a folk holiday marking the end of Christmas festivities when women were to resume their work at the spinning wheel.

“This was, traditionally, the day to get back to their work and hobby,” Kathleen Lopes, one of the organizers for this year’s event and a member of the Weavers of Char-Lee, said.

A “distaff” is a stick or spindle used to hold loose fiber to spin into yarn or thread.

Visitors will have an opportunity to watch exactly what weaving and spinning is all about.

“We’re going to be demonstrating weaving and spinning,” she said.

There will be an assortment of looms on site for the public to view, including a rigid-heddle loom, tapestry loom, a couple harness looms and an inkle loon, which is used to make belts and straps.

“We’ll have many different types of looms,” Lopes said.

There is no cost for admission, and there will be hands-on activities for attendees.

“The public are welcome to join in and have a hand at it,” she said.

“We’ll also bring some of our woven items if people want to see what they can weave,” Lopes added.

Last year, the turnout was a big success.

“Last year was huge because we also had a gallery show in the hallway,” she said.

There is no related exhibit planned for this year’s event.

Founded several years ago, the Weavers of Char-Lee has approximately 60 current members.

“I think most of us feels weaving gives up a creative and calm place to express ourselves,” Lopes said, adding that events like ROC Day also provide the social aspect for the guild’s members.

For more information on ROC Day, contact Rose Young at 239-540-5836.

The Cape Coral-Lee County Library is at 921 S.W. 39th Terrace.