The talents of more than 300 artists, exhibitors and musicians will be on display at the 18th annual Ozarks Celebration Festival Sept. 11-13 at Missouri State University. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature music, dance and storytelling performances on four campus stages.
“I’m excited about this year’s festival,” said Barb Jones, director of special events for the College of Arts and Letters. “We’ll have several unique performances, including The HillBenders, who have received national acclaim for their bluegrass version of the rock opera ‘Tommy.’
“In addition, our craft show features the finest artists the Ozarks has to offer. That’s always a highlight, and we invite the public to join us at every event.”
Ozarks Celebration Festival Highlights
Ice Cream Social and Concert Under the Stars
The festival starts with the annual ice cream social and Concert Under the Stars from 5:30-10 p.m. Sept. 11 at the John H. Keiser Plaza and West Mall Ampitheatre. The ice cream social begins at 5:30 p.m., with performances by The Blackberry Winter Band at 6 p.m. and The HillBenders at 7:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Free parking is available in Lot 19 east of Strong Hall and in the Bear Park South parking garage on the corner of Grand Street and Holland Avenue.
Crafts, Exhibits and Music
Artists, crafters, exhibitors and vendors will demonstrate and sell their wares Sept. 12-13. Four stages will feature traditional music, dance, storytelling and an area dedicated to kid-friendly activities. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 12 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 13.
Free parking for the Sept. 12-13 events is available in Lots 22 and 24 south of Grand Street, and atBearPark North and Bear Park South.
Ozarks Lecture Series
The Ozarks Lecture Series features discussions on life in the Ozarks in the past and present. The lectures are free and open to the public.
- Abby Burnett will deliver a presentation based on her book, “Gone to the Grave: Burial Customs of the Arkansas Ozarks,” at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 in Plaster Student Union Room 313. Burnett is a former freelance newspaper reporter from Kingston, Arkansas.
- Nancy Allen, a senior instructor at Missouri State, will present “From Prosecutor to Author: How a Background in Criminal Law Inspired an Ozarks Mystery Series” at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 in Plaster Student Union Room 313. Allen practiced law for 15 years as assistant attorney general and assistant prosecutor in Missouri.
For more information on the festival or lecture series, visit the Ozarks Celebration Festival website or contact Jones at (417) 836-6605.