The Craft Village at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View opens for the 2012 Season on Tuesday, April 3 at 10:00 a.m. The Village is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit with more than 20 crafts people as they create pottery, knives, quilts, blackpowder rifles, jewelry, brooms, baskets and so much more. These authentic master craftspeople are happy to tell you the history of their craft as they work, and how their craft is done today here in the Ozarks.
This year the Village features beautiful new rock walkways and seating walls make your visit more enjoyable. A new motorized lift between the upper and lower levels allows easier access to the entire village for everyone. There are new garden spaces next to the workshops, many of them featuring plants associated with that craft.
Live acoustic music is performed throughout the day. A guided tour of the Village meets at the Gift Shop at 10:30 a.m. and takes about an hour. A daily noon program on the Bessie Moore Deck offers the chance to meet characters from the past or learn more about the gardens and crafts.
Most of the workshops offer hands-on learning opportunities. You can weave on a loom in the Spinning and Weaving shop; spin a top at the Foot Lathe; mold some clay in the pottery shop and print your own bookmark in the Print Shop. Whiskey and Tango, our two donkeys still pull the Picnic Swing when they aren’t out entertaining visitors in the park.
New demonstrations for 2012 are the Silver Casting in Widmer’s Jewelry Shop; the expanded forge operation in the Blacksmith Shop; the new Copper Smith shop next to the music pavilion; wifi throughout, so that you can share your experiences with your friends and family while you are here.
Regular admission to the Craft Village is $10 for adults and $6.00 for children 6-12. Children under 6 are free, or get a family pass for $27.50 for the whole day.
Combination tickets, which include the daytime festivities in the craft village and the evening concert are only $17.50 for adults and $8.50 for children 6-12. The Village is open Tuesday – Saturday, April 3 through November 24.
Visit the web site at www.ozarkfolkcenter.com for a complete list of classes, schedules and class information. Or call 870-269-3851 for more information.
