Longaberger Basket 1

I was in Ohio for Honda Homecoming. For the first time, I had some extra time to make the trip to the Longaberger Basket Factory in Frazeyburg which I have wanted to do for a few years.

Here I am in front of the World's Largest Apple Basket sporting my new hairstyle.

It turned out that this was the weekend that Longaberger demonstrators visit the Homestead for their annual convention. It was very busy but actually lucky for me because many of the women gave me great advice on accessories and tips for the basket that I made myself and I got some of the Longaberger family members to sign the bottom of my handmade treasure.

I soon found out that Longaberger is quite a huge phenomenon in the US. It is like a little village of stores, restaurants and activites all related to baskets, home decor and apparel. There is even a golf course for the husbands to enjoy themselves while the women are shopping.

I expect that I will be back again :)

Longaberger Basket 2

Here I am making my own basket (with help from Matt). Note how the basket slats are formed over a wooden fixture to make the shape of the basket. The slats are moistened with water to make them pliable. The factory is behind me - it is the size of 7 football fields.

Longaberger Basket 3

Here is a close-up of my basket during the last step.

The website is: www.longabergerhomestead.com

Some of you are probably wondering what is Honda Homecoming. It is an annual event where Honda motorcycle owners bring their motorcycles home to the Marysville Motorcycle plant. It is a huge event that includes plant tours, activities, demonstrations and a light parade.
This year, the parade had over 1,000 motorcycles in it and lasted 40 minutes. Some of the motorcycles are decked out with lights, cool horns or pulling unique trailers and some of the parade participants dress up (including Santa) all for the enjoyment of the parade watchers.

More info at:
http://www.ohio.honda.com/news/Homecoming/index.cfm