GRAND LAKE STREAM – Whether it’s building a canoe or making a quilt, the place to be this weekend is the eighth annual Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival.

The festival opens at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Set in one of the most spectacular pristine wilderness areas of New England, this Washington County village will come alive for a gathering of nationally recognized folk artists, craftspeople, canoe builders, boat builders, quilters and musicians, festival organizers Bill and Cathy Shamel said Wednesday.

More than 50 folk artists and craftspeople from the northeastern United States and New Brunswick will be on hand with their collectible folk art and functional handcrafts.

The St. Croix International Quilters Guild will be on hand. Also appearing: a display of antique and heirloom quilts. A commemorative patriotic quilt made by Louise Moore of Grand Lake Stream especially for the festival will be raffled.

Demonstrations will include a project by Rollin Thurlow of Northwoods Canoe Co. in Atkinson – along with anyone who would like to volunteer – who will build a traditional 16-foot double-ender canoe.

New this year will be a display by David Needler of St. Andrews, New Brunswick, of a 20-foot inboard powered canoe. It is a replica of the canoes built in the 1920s and 1930s.

Mahoosuc Guide Service of Newry, expedition outfitter, will be building a dog sled during the two- day event.

Dwayne Shaw, executive director of the Downeast Salmon Federation and Downeast Rivers Land Trust, will offer lectures and information on the restoration and conservation of Atlantic salmon.

Mike Good of Downeast Nature Tours of Bar Harbor will talk about environmental and conservation issues facing the region. For birders, he will arrange bird and nature tours throughout the weekend.

In addition, the weekend will include music, with Jim Gallant of New Gloucester, who will perform folk songs and ballads, and Grand Lake Stream’s own singer, Randy Spencer. A major attraction will be bluegrass performances by Ken Brooks and the Union River Band.

Between 10 and 11:30 a.m. Sunday will be an open jam session with members of the Black Socks String Band, and the Shamels invite everyone to bring instruments and join in.

Admission is $5 for one day or $7.50 for both days of the festival. All displays and activities are under large tents, so the festival will be held rain or shine.