As always, this year’s Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival will offer many fascinating activities and exhibits.  Here is a preliminary listing; more activities might be added:

Recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Missouri Folk Arts Program’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program
--- The Missouri Folk Arts Program’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.  The Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program has contributed substantially to the conservation and sustenance of folk culture in our region and throughout Missouri.  The program and artists who have participated in it will be recognized in a variety of ways throughout the festival.

Ozark Light: The Photographs of Charles Elliott Gill
--- This traveling exhibit from the Missouri State Archives will be on display in the mezzanine of the West Plains Civic Center from June 10 through July 5.  Charles Elliott Gill of Dent County was one of the first photographers in the Missouri Ozarks to have a portable camera, which enabled him to take photographs outside a studio setting.  This exhibit features more than 100 of his photographs documenting many aspects of life in this region in the early decades of the 20th century.

Demonstrations of traditional foodways by Judy Harden and friends at the “What’s Cookin’?” stage
--- Judy Harden, a talented cook and commentator on foodways of the Ozarks and surrounding regions, will demonstrate the art of food preparation along with many friends and culinary colleagues throughout the festival.  They will discuss the social and historical contexts surrounding their dishes as they prepare them.  Those who watch and listen to the demonstrations will be invited to eat the results, free of charge!

Demonstrations of quilting and displays of quilts in the West Plains Civic Center:
--- As always, the traditional art of quilting will be well-represented at this year’s festival.  The Southern Belle Grandmothers Club will present a quilt show in Civic Center’s Magnolia Room.  The Hutton Valley Quilters will demonstrate quilting.  Gammill Quilting Systems will offer information about its machines and services.

Children’s activities led by the Missouri Department of Conservation:
--- The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer activities for children on the festival grounds.

Mule Jump! – sponsored by Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply of West Plains – demonstration Saturday, June 19, at 11 AM; competition Saturday, June 19, at 3:30 PM, the corner of East Main and South Curry
--- Mule jumping, that most Missourian of Missouri folk arts, developed when hunters began training mules to jump over fences so that they did not have to interrupt the hunt to locate a gate.  It became a competitive event unto itself, and mule jumping contests began to take place at county fairs and town picnics throughout much of rural America, especially Missouri.  A demonstration of mule jumping will take place on Saturday, June 19, at 11 AM, followed by a competition at 3:30 PM.  Both events will take place at the corner of East Main and South Curry streets. 

The Fiddlers’ Frolic – Friday at 5:00 PM, Civic Center Theater
--- Traditional (in the broadest sense of the term) fiddlers and other string musicians of all levels of ability are invited to participate in the Fiddlers’ Frolic.  Participating fiddlers will take turns selecting and leading traditional tunes.  The event will also incorporate informal discussion of the fiddlers’ repertoire and styles and the traditions to which they belong.  As usual, the Fiddlers’ Frolic will take place in the West Plains Civic Center theater on Friday at 5 PM.

“The Many Sides of Shape-Notes” – Saturday at 12:30 PM, Civic Center Theater
--- “The Many Sides of Shape-Notes” will offer a brisk overview of the entire tradition of shape-note singing through both live performance and commentary on the social and historical contexts surrounding the music.  Various branches of the shape-note tradition and the musical styles associated with them will be represented.  Singers from throughout the region, including an ensemble representing the Brockwell Gospel Music School in Brockwell, Arkansas, will participate.  This will take place in the West Plains Civic Center theater on Saturday, June 19, at 12:30 PM.

The Bob Holt National Old-Time Jig Dance Competition – Saturday at 2:30 PM, Civic Center Theater
--- An annual competition devoted to jig dancing, a genre of folk dance that is integral to life in the Ozarks of south-central and southwest Missouri.  It belongs to a tradition of solo dances found throughout the Upland South that also encompasses flat-footing in West Virginia and buck dancing in Kentucky and Tennessee.  Jig dancers of all ages are welcome to compete.  The event will take place on Saturday, June 19, at 2:30 PM.  For more details, please click here.

Music workshops
--- Workshops on Friday, June 18, will be led by various musicians, including Linda Thomas (hammered dulcimer), Dan DeLancey (guitar, with emphasis on flatpicking), Scott Tichenor (mandolin), Ronnie DeLancey (string bass), and others to be announced.  Workshops on Saturday, June 19, will be led by various musicians, including Fred McKinney (string bass), Ed McKinney (guitar, with emphasis on the styles and techniques of Mother Maybelle Carter), and others to be announced.

Demonstrations of regional folk arts and crafts by accomplished artisans