The Arkansas Folk Festival in Mountain View will be held the weekend of April 15-16, 2016.
Music and handmade crafts still take center stage in this celebration of local heritage. An annual tradition since 1963, thousands of visitors and residents now reserve the third weekend of April as a time to renew a kinship with traditions.
The Ozark Folk Center will once again host the festival’s kick-off music concert. This year it will be the annual Music Roots Concert featuring the county’s youngest performers, which involves some very talented individuals and groups.
Music programs are scheduled for the outdoor courthouse stage, while impromptu music groups offering a wide variety of music styles will spring up around the downtown area throughout the daytime hours, and play late into the evening.
A variety of professional music shows in local theaters will be open during the festival.
A highlight of the festival is the parade on Saturday morning beginning at 10 a.m. Floats sponsored by local organizations and businesses, dignitaries, the school’s marching band, antique cars, horses and many more entries offer something for everyone as it travels down Main Street.
Other perennial events are the Artisans Market on the Square, to be held in the lot north of the court square east of Mountain View Music, Talent Show on Saturday, and a rodeo.
The theme for this year is “Celebrating Our Creative and Musical Culture.”
The Ozark Folk Center state park kicks off its season offering free admission to the craft grounds Friday through Sunday, and free shuttle rides will be offered between the park and downtown on Saturday. Visitors may park at the Folk Center and avoid trying to park in limited space in the downtown area.
Other activities available in the area include tours of Blanchard Springs Caverns, mountain biking, camping and hiking in the Ozark National Forest, and fishing on White River.
The Arkansas Folk Festival is sponsored by the Mountain View Area Chamber of Commerce. To contact the Chamber of Commerce about the festival or other local events, call 1-888-679-2859 or visit www.ArkansasFolkFestival.com. For more information about Ozark Folk Center activities, contact the state park at 870-269-3851 or visit www.ozarkfolkcenter.com.
