The Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival features both demonstrations and sales by a wide variety of material artists and craftspeople throughout the two-day event.
Many of these material arts and crafts originated for entirely utilitarian reasons and were essential for meeting the basic needs of Ozarks residents in past generations. As a result of changes in the region’s economy, especially the increased availability of manufactured goods since the mid-twentieth century, such arts and crafts are no longer practical necessities, but many talented artisans and craftspeople in the Ozarks continue to practice them both as outlets for their creativity and as means of celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage.
In many cases, these crafts and art forms have incorporated more aesthetic elements as they have evolved over time, and artistry now takes precedence over functionality in the work of many of their practitioners, though this is certainly not always the case.
Some of the artisans and craftspeople who participate in the Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival practice their arts and crafts as living traditions, and their work reflects ongoing developments within those traditions, including, in some cases, their own innovations. Other participants in the festival are historical re-enactors who strive to practice their arts and crafts as they were practiced generations ago. Some have products available for purchase; all of them encourage festival goers to observe their work and learn about it.
Artisans/Demonstrators Participating in the 2016 Festival are:
Country Heritage Spinners and Weavers Guild – Ava, MO
Southern Belle Grandmothers Club – Quilt Show – West Plains
Ozarks Older Iron Club – West Plains, MO
Lyn Barnes – Quiet Lady Enterprises – Native American Beadwork – Elijah, MO and her partner who makes salves and medicinals
Bill Rhodes Turkey Calls—Sheridan, AR
Cindy McLean – Quilter – Pomona, MO
JudyJo Protiva – Treadle Sewing Machine demonstrations – Peace Valley, MO
Alan Flood, Don Reed, Bobby Walker – Flint Knappers
West Plains Area Farmers Market Members
Trissi Callahan—soapmaker
Leslie Ives – West Plains – Fabric Arts
Dan Keller – West Plains – Outdoor Skills
Kevin Smith – West Plains – Blacksmith
Loran Cockrum – West Plains – wagon rides
Missouri Department of Conservation—West Plains, MO
Ozarks Dutch Oven Group – Springfield, MO
OUTDOOR SKILLS AND FIRE STARTING WORKSHOPS
Watch for workshops throughout the Festival presented by Dan Keller presenting on basic First Aid, snake identification and wild edibles; and Kevin Smith on fire starting, fire building, hand-made guns, and other outdoor skills. Both will present on food prep at the Cooking Stage.
Bill Rhodes of Rhodes Turkey Calls will be presenting on turkey call making, turkey hunting tips, youth gun safety, and more. Mr. Rhodes says, “We are outdoor people loving nature, fishing, hunting, and just being in tune with God’s great creation.” The Rhodes have been making turkey calls for 15 years and have calls in some 15 stores in three states.
“Discover Nature – Fishing” Workshops Set The “Discover Nature’’ fishing workshops offered for families and kids by the Missouri Department of Conservation will include casting tips 11 a.m. to noon Friday. The knot-tying workshop will be 2 to 3 p.m. Friday. Participants will have an opportunity to win a prize by testing their casting skills at our backyard bass and other various targets. They will also have a chance to learn how to tie a fishing knot (improved clinch knot), and how to identify five fish common to Missouri’s waters. They will be presented by MDC employees who will be available throughout the day.
