The sounds of fiddles and banjos are returning to the Ozarks as the 64th annual Arkansas Folk Festival officially kicks off Friday, marking the start of the region’s peak music season.
Mountain View Mayor Roger Gardner joined White River Now’s Chad Whiteaker to discuss the festivities, which are expected to draw thousands to the Stone County courthouse square through Saturday.
“Folk Fest kind of kicks off our music season of the year,” Gardner said. “We’ve got a big lineup all summer long… Friday and Saturday night music will be blowing and going.”
Listen to their visit below:
Weekend Highlights
The festival features a variety of traditional performances and community events, including:
- Saturday Morning Parade: A festival staple, the parade is scheduled to begin Saturday at 10 a.m.
- Music Roots Ensemble: Local youth participating in the Music Roots program will perform Saturday at 11 a.m..
- Folk Fashion Stroll: Attendees dressed in period-accurate clothing will take the main stage at 1 p.m. Saturday.
- Artisans Market: Handcrafted goods, antique cars, and food vendors will line the historic downtown area throughout the weekend.
Preserving Ozark Heritage
Gardner highlighted the importance of the Music Roots program, a partnership between the Committee of 100 and the Ozark Folk Center. The program provides free instruments and instruction to local students starting in the fourth grade.
“If you learn to play music, you’ll play the rest of your life,” Gardner said, noting that students can learn instruments such as the banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and guitar.
The festival will culminate Saturday night with the Next Generation Concert at the Ozark Folk Center’s Ozark Highlands Theater from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.. The concert serves as a fundraiser to support continued music education for local youth.
Looking Ahead
The weekend serves as the anchor for a busy summer season in Mountain View. Gardner noted that beyond the courthouse square, venues like the Ozark Folk Center and the Driftwood Barn—named for local celebrity Jimmy Driftwood—will host consistent musical performances on Friday and Saturday nights through the autumn months.
The Arkansas Folk Festival is free to the public. A free shuttle service is available between the Ozark Folk Center and the courthouse square for attendees. Click here for more information.
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