Ozarks Celebration Festival marks its 15th year

Annual festival celebrates the traditions of the Ozarks

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Missouri State University’s Ozarks Celebration Festival adds its own 15 year milestone to the list of things to celebrate about the Ozarks this year. The talents and wares of more than 75 craftsmen and musicians, along with five entertainment stages featuring music, storytelling and dance, will be on display Sept. 7-14.

“For the past 15 years Missouri State University’s Ozarks Celebration Festival has paid tribute to the rich heritage and culture of the Ozarks,” said Barb Jones, director of special events for the College of Arts and Letters. “We are proud to welcome everyone to our campus the week of Sept. 7-14 to experience the traditions, the stories, the crafts and the music that are uniquely ‘The Ozarks.’”

The festival kicks-off Sept. 7 with the annual Concert Under the Stars and ice cream social from 5-10 p.m. at the John H. Keiser Amphitheater, located on the east lawn of Strong Hall. This year’s concert will feature The Blackberry Winter Band, The HillBenders, and Rhonda Vincent & The Rage.

The Student Exhibition Center will debut a special exhibit entitled “Ozarks Celebration Festival: A Retrospective Exhibit, Celebrating Fifteen Years of Memories” during a First Friday Art Walk reception from 6-10 p.m. Sept. 7 and a Meet the Artists Reception from 7-9 p.m. Sept. 8. The exhibit showcases traditional art and craftsmanship, and will be on display through Sept. 22.

A new open-mic performance stage will give local musicians the opportunity to share their music. Local artists are invited to sign-up for a performance time at the Seldom Heard Music Stage on Saturday and Sunday.

“There are several first time performers at the stages this year. I am very excited to announce that The Undergrass Boys have come back together for our festival,” said Jones. “Long-time Ozarkers will remember them from their days of performing at Silver Dollar City.”

The Young Fiddlers Concert will return again this year at 1 p.m. Sept. 8 in Ellis Hall. The Festival Lecture Series, featuring authors, storytellers and historians from the Ozarks, begins Sept. 10 and will run through Sept. 12. All lectures will be held in Plaster Student Union, Room 313.

The Blackberry Winter Band will return for a special showing of the Academy Award-nominated film “Winter’s Bone” at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 in the Plaster Student Union Theater. Maridith Sisco and members of the band will provide commentary on the film.

The Ozarks Celebration Festival will conclude its festivities with the second annual Black Ties & Bluegrass fundraiser at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Tower Club. Tickets are $35 per person or $500 for a reserved table of 10. The evening will include silent and live auctions, dinner and a special concert by The Undergrass Boys. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Jones at (417) 836-6605.

Festival hours begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 7 and run 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 8 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 9. All events are free and open to the public.

During weekend festivities, free parking is available in lots near the corner of National and Monroe and all lots south of Grand. Shuttles will pick up at Bear Park North, Bear Park South, lots 14 and 24, and the visitor’s parking lot.

For more information about the Ozarks Celebration Festival, including participants and a schedule of events, visit ocf.missouristate.edu.

College of Arts and Letters

The College of Arts and Letters supports more than 45 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs. The college incorporates seven academic departments, including art and design; communication; English; media, journalism and film; modern and classical languages; music; and theatre and dance, and five interdisciplinary programs: antiquities; electronic arts; global studies; linguistics; and musical theatre. The College of Arts and Letters promotes learning, scholarship and service to the broader community in all aspects of human communication — spoken, written, visual, musical, dramatic and electronic.

About Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive university system with a mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons while guided by three overarching and enduring commitments to student learning, inclusive excellence and institutional impact. The university’s identity is distinguished by its statewide mission in public affairs, which entails a campus-wide commitment to foster competence and responsibility in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement.

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