Culture and Heritage

The Ozarks Celebration Festival is an entertaining and educational look at the region's culture and heritage. The University launched the festival in 1998 with the hope that it will foster a sense of place and understanding of place for both natives of the Ozarks and visitors as well. This year's festival will consist of over 50 traditional artists and craftspeople with three entertainment stages featuring music (which will include traditional, bluegrass, and gospel music), storytelling, traditional dance (including square, jig, contra and clogging), films, historical characters, exhibits, and much more. Many of the finest artists and craftspeople in the region will be on hand to demonstrate and display their creations, offering a number of items for sale.

GA wins OCF Quilt!

COAL Graduate Assistant Phillip George won the hand-stitched and hand-quilted, queen size quilt donated to the Ozarks Celebration Festival by Tri-Lakes Quilters of Branson.

Chances on the quilt were available throughout the Festival with the drawing held Friday, September 18. Nearly 200 chances were purchased this year.

George is a graduate student studying Professional and Technical Writing in the English Department.

Welcome from the Festival Director

Welcome to the 12th Annual Ozarks Celebration Festival!

For the past seven years it has been my honor to serve as the Director for the Annual Ozarks Celebration Festival and welcome you to our Springfield Campus each September.

Now in its twelfth year, the Ozarks Celebration Festival continues to bring together people from all generations and backgrounds to celebrate the rich heritage and culture that is uniquely "Ozarks." The festival has earned a reputation of bringing together artists and craftsmen of exemplary quality along with the finest storytellers, dancers, fiddlers, pickers, and singers the Ozarks has to offer. And this year is no exception! As you peruse the list of performers, craftsmen, and exhibitors, you will see that many of your favorites are back with us again this year. But, you will also see that we are welcoming several new artists that we hope will become a permanent part of our "Festival Family."

As with every year, there are "Festival Highlights" that you won’t want to miss!

• The Kids' Area is back with crafts, games, and performances that will keep your child entertained throughout the day! From toddlers to teens, there is something fun happening for everyone at the Kids' Area!
• One of my favorite events at the festival, the ever popular Young Fiddlers Concert, featuring fiddlers from 7-17, will be held on Saturday, September 12th at 1:00 p.m. in Ellis Recital Hall. These young performers are so amazing and so talented; it is an absolute pleasure to watch them perform.

 

• Dan Tyminski is back!!!! And we have him for two performances!!!! Yes, it's true! The Dan Tyminski Band will perform on the Max Hunter Stage, located in front of Siceluff Hall, on Saturday, September 12th from 5-6 p.m. They will also perform at the Concert Under the Stars on Sunday, September 13th from 8-10 p.m.

 

• Bells! Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and join us at 4:00 p.m. as we welcome guest carillonist Carlo J. van Ulft for the final concert of the 2009 Jane A. Meyer Summer Carillon Concert Series. For his concert, entitled Poet and Peasant, Mr. Van Ulft will play selections by Bach, August Durant, and the songwriting duo of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. If you haven't heard this beautiful instrument played, you are in for a real treat! The grounds in front of Meyer Library are considered "the best seats in the house!" Tours of the Carillon will be given after the concert.
• Bluegrass & BBQ! You won't want to miss the Grand Finale! The Annual Concert Under the Stars and Ice-Cream Social will be held from 6-10 p.m. at the John H. Keiser Amphitheater (east of Strong Hall). We will begin serving ice-cream at 6 p.m.; The Lowdown Fancy will play from 6:30-7:45 p.m.; and The Dan Tyminski Band will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. Richard's Hawgwild BBQ will be selling their famous BBQ throughout the night!
• The Festival Lecture Series featuring authors, storytellers and historians from the Ozarks will be held during the week of September 14-17. Check out the Lecture Series Schedule for more information!

So, on behalf of everyone at Missouri State University and the Ozarks Celebration Festival family, I hope you will join us September 12-17, 2009, for our week-long celebration of Ozarks history and culture!

Barb Jones
Festival Director