Ivan Gillis

Mountain Home, Arkansas

Enjoy traditional American folk culture, crafts, music, and festivals in the Ozark Mountains! Arkansas's Ozark Folk Center State Park is America's only facility that preserves the Ozark heritage and presents it as living history.

Tap your toes to traditional American mountain music. See blacksmithing, pottery making and over 18 other pioneer folk art and craft demonstrations. Learn how to play the dulcimer, autoharp, or fiddle. Learn hand quilting or turkey wing broom making, or how to grow a backyard herb garden. Pioneer craft workshops are offered throughout the season at the Ozark Folk Center.

Partial list of events in the Mountain Home  area:

The Ozark Folk Center is open Wednesday through Saturday from April 20, 2007 until the end of September.  In October 2007, the park is open Tuesday through Sunday, with music concerts Tuesday through Saturday.  The Craft Village is open from 10 am until 5 pm.  Music concerts begin at 7:30 pm. 

The Craft Village presents over 20 different demonstrations of Ozark mountain pioneer crafts such as basket making, pottery, blacksmithing, quilting and broom making, to name a few.  These craft items are for sale both from the artisans directly and in the Homespun Gift Shop on the park grounds.   In addition, there are hourly music performances and a daily living history presentation. 

Folk Center concerts feature a variety of traditional acoustic music from the Southern mountains of the United States.  There will be special concerts during the year featuring other forms of music such as contemporary Country, Gospel, Rock and Folk. 

For those seeking unique and personal learning experiences, the Center offers Folk School, as well as other workshops and seminars in traditional folk instruments, in traditional arts and crafts, and in growing and using herbs.  Workshops and special events occur throughout the year at the Folk Center.  These are listed below.

April 20 -- 22, 2007
Ozark Folk Center Open House
During the 2007 Arkansas Folk Festival, April 20, 21 & 22, there is free admission into the Ozark Folk Center's Craft Village. See demonstrations of traditional pioneer crafts such as blacksmithing, pottery, soap making, quilting and many more. Open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Contact: (870) 269-3851, ozarkfolkcenter@arkansas.com

April 26 - 28, 2007
Dulcimer Jamboree: A Traditional Music Event
Annual event featuring Mountain and Hammered Dulcimers. Whether you are a player of one of these traditional instruments or just curious about them, you will enjoy this fun, musical event. Includes workshops, jam sessions and concerts. The event is 3 days.  Contact the Folk Center for additional information at 870-269-3851 or click on http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/education-workshops/workshop-event.asp?id=212
Contact: (870) 269-3851, ozarkfolkcenter@arkansas.com

May 4 - 5, 2007
Heritage Herb Spring Extravaganza Garden Festival & Plant Sale
Hands-on activities, vendors and tours of the Garden!  Call (870) 269-3851 to register for workshops or to be placed on our herb mailing list.
Admission: Craft Ground Ticket-$9/Adults & $6/Children ages 6 -- 12.
Contact: (870) 269-3851, ozarkfolkcenter@arkansas.com

June 2 -- 3, 2007
Hickory Bark Seat Weaving
In this class, the entire process of peeling and weaving a hickory bark chair seat will be completed and taught by Owen Rein.
For more information and registration form click on http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/events-calendar/special-events/default.asp?id=280
Contact: (870) 269-3851, ozarkfolkcenter@arkansas.com

July 4, 2007
4th of July Celebration
Time: 10 am - 5 pm
The Folk Center Craft Grounds will be open 4th of July with over 20 pioneer craft demonstrations, traditional music performances and a living history presentation at noon, sack races, egg carries, apple bobbing, and lots of good old-fashioned family fun.  Ice-cold watermelon will be served at the end of the activities.
Admission: $9 adults; $6 children 6-12
Contact: (870) 269-3851, ozarkfolkcenter@arkansas.com

July 21, 2007
The Women of Mountain Music:  A Traditional Music Event
This concert, featuring all the women who regularly sing and work in other areas of the Folk Center, has the reputation of being one of the best of the season. Don't miss it.
Admission: $9 adults; $6 children 6-12
Contact: (870) 269-3851, ozarkfolkcenter@arkansas.com

September 7 - 9, 2007
Folk Dance Days
Dance workshops for people of all ages, in traditional styles such as clogging, jig and contra. Contact the park to be put on our Dance Workshop mailing list.
Contact: (870) 269-3851, ozarkfolkcenter@arkansas.com

September 28 - 29, 2007
Arkansas State Fiddle Championship
Weekend of contest and concerts.  Performances by Arkansas' top fiddlers. Contest rules will be posted on our website at www.ozarkfolkcenter.com prior to the contest.
Admission: $9 for adults. $6 for children 6-12.
Contact: (870) 269-3851, ozarkfolkcenter@arkansas.com

November 8, 9 & 10, 2007    

FALL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL                                                                                                                             

This annual event is held at the Ozark Folk Center and is hosted and sponsored by the Mountain View Blue Grass Association.  Special guest performers include Kenny and Amanda Smith, The Boohers, Cadillac Sky, Bowles Creek, Hickory Hill, White Dove, and The Nelsons

Contact: www.mountainview-bluegrass.com

Complete List

http://www.ozarkfolkcenter.com/events-calendar/special-events/default.asp?ID=315

For more detailed information from Wikipedia click the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Home,_Arkansas