OZARK FOLK FESTIVAL
Various times and venues. Eureka Springs.
Wednesday, the 66th annual Ozark Folk Festival kicks off in Eureka Springs. It’s one of the oldest continually observed folk celebrations in the country — the oldest actually, according to organizers.
This year’s lineup is highlighted by a Saturday evening taping of folk singer Michael Johnathon‘s “WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour” (even just typing that out, I can hear the trademark roaring crowd chant that introduces the show: WoodSongs … Old-Time … Radio Hour!). Johnathon and crew will be recording two one-hour programs at The Auditorium downtown. The first features The Clark Family Trio, Clancey Ferguson, Martin Johnson, David Kimbrough III, Fiddlin’ Banjo Billy Mathews, Mountain Sprout and The Ozark Alliance. The second show includes performances from Leroy Troy and The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band and veteran country-rock figure Michael Martin Murphey.
Of course, the festival also includes plenty more good times, with the Queens Contest Thursday night, free music Friday and Saturday in Basin Spring Park (including a performance from Johnathan on Friday), the Folk Festival Parade through downtown starting at 2 p.m. Saturday and a Sunday Gospel Brunch with Brick Fields Sunday at noon at Basin Park. Check here for the full schedule.