Ozark Folk Center State Park hosts Stringband Music & Arts Festival
The Stringband Music & Arts Festival will feature Ozark Mountain dancing, handcrafted art and lively stringband music Friday, Oct. 14, and Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View.
The music portion of the festival includes an extended music and dance show on Friday night, a Saturday matinee and a Saturday evening show featuring young rising stars from Mountain View, nationally touring bands and veteran Ozark musicians. Music headliners include Arkansas’s own Sad Daddy, nominated for Western Swing Group of the Year at the 2022 Ameripolitan Awards, and the Lovestruck Balladeers, traveling ragtime and stringband musicians from across the U.S. and Canada.
“Stringbands are a foundational sound in traditional American music and have had a profound influence on the music of the Ozarks,” said Ozark Folk Center Music Director Daren Dortin. “We’re excited to have a diverse lineup of local, traditional and modern performers for this event.”
Also performing at the festival is top talent from the Mountain View music scene, including veteran square dance fiddler Roger Fountain and band Love Holler, featuring twin sisters Emma and Caroline Russell. The lineup includes 21year-old Grace Stormont (Arkansas CMA’s Americana Artist of the Year and Album of the Year recipient) and Blackberry Summer, featuring National Hammered Dulcimer Champion Ben Haguewood and State Fiddle Champion Kailee Spickes. Renowned Mountain View folk trio Harmony will also perform in the Craft Village throughout the day on Saturday.
The Craft Village will be open on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offer a variety of family friendly entertainment, including music shows at 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. at the Blacksmith Stage.
The Craft Village is home to dozens of master artisans who make, sell and demonstrate a variety of modern and traditional crafts. The Village also offers a variety of educational opportunities including living history at the historic Shannon Cabin and one-room schoolhouse.
During their visit, guests can walk through the nationally recognized Heritage Herb Garden or make their trip a weekend stay at the park’s Cabins at Dry Creek. For lodging reservations call 1-800264-3655 or book online at www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.
Tickets to the music shows are available online for $25 (Friday), $35 (Saturday) or $50 (both days). All-day admission to the park’s artisan shops, gardens and open-air music shows are included with a festival pass. Family passes are also available for two adults and children under 18.
A dinner buffet will be served at the Skillet Restaurant between music shows on Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A lunch buffet will be served on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The buffet is sold separately; the lunch buffet is $14 per person and the dinner buffet is $15 per person.
The Ozark Folk Center State Park, located in Mountain View, Arkansas, is open seasonally from April to October. The park’s mission is “to perpetuate, present and promote the Ozark way of life in an educational and enjoyable manner.” To learn more visit OzarkFolkCenter.com or call 870-269-3851.
Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 54,400 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities, and unique historic and cultural resources. Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism and provide leadership in resource conservation. Connect with ASP on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more.
The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism protects and promotes our state’s natural, cultural and historic assets, contributing to a thriving economy and high quality of life. It is made up of three divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism. Stacy Hurst serves as the cabinet secretary for the department.