Some of the most beautiful and practical items of Ozark life will once again be on display during the annual Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains, Mo.  The Festival will be held Friday and Saturday, June 2 and 3. This year’s Festival footprint is expanded, encompassing vendors and activities from the east lawn of the Civic Center, down Trish Knight Blvd., including events on Washington Avenue, on Trish Knight St., and up to the Commons on the Missouri State University-West Plains campus at Haas-Darr Hall. Admission to all festival events is free.

Cindy McLean will have a demonstration of hands-on quilting on the Civic Center Mezzanine during the Festival. Come visit with the quilters and view the many beautiful pieces that will be on display. Quilts from previous festivals will be displayed, as well as other fabric art items.

Judy Jo Protiva will again demonstrate her treadle sewing machine, which is still in use in her home. She will be available noon-2PM on Friday, and 1-3PM on Saturday.

An old-fashioned “quilt turning” will be featured on the mezzanine. Turnings are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.  Quilt turning evolved from ladies proudly showing their prized quilts to friends and visitors.  As quilts were often stored on beds, the quilts were shown along with a short story told about the pattern, materials and historical points.  After a quilt was viewed, it was folded to the foot of the bed, exposing the next quilt to be admired. 

Don’t miss these fun and entertaining presentations, and then take a walk downtown for our first-ever Quilt Walk.               Beautiful quilts, with their history or description, will be featured at these locations: Downtown Antique Mall, Country at Heart, T J Swift House, #14 Court Square, Kloz Klozet, West Plains Music Store, Gammill Sewing Center, Rickie David Jewelry, West Plains Daily Quill, The Avenue Theatre, Dixie Soul, Decorations for Celebrations, Independent In Home Services, OzSBI, 10/40 Coffee, Right Off the Bat, Darlis Family Styling, Powell Crews Title & Escrow, Vacs for Less, and at the Harlin Museum location plus their festival booth. A map showing all locations will be available from the Festival information tables as well as accessible online via cell phone. Here’s the online guide.