FOLK MUSIC

I had the opportunity to get away for the weekend and enjoy the 47th Annual Arkansas Folk Festival in Mountain View, AR. There were musical gatherings on the courthouse square and handmade arts and crafts booths .This is one of Arkansas longest-running festivals. The festival originated in 1941 at Blanchard Springs. Its annual tradition was once interrupted by World War II. Thousands of visitors and residents took part in the weekend festival where music programs were presented on the outdoor stage at the courthouse. A parade was held Saturday morning including floats, marching bands, antique cars, tractors, motorcycles, and horses.

We also enjoyed the Ozark Folk Center and its craft grounds on Saturday. There were demonstrations such as broom, candle, knife, soap, and rope making. This was a learning experience for us adults as well as the children. I participated with helping my daughter make a rope. We were placed across from each other using cranks to wind the rope. The rope maker announced that I was now a “Cranky Mom”!

We also attended folk singing at the Jimmy Driftwood barn. We heard a variety of music including “The Battle of New Orleans” an American classic country/folk song, written by Jimmy Driftwood in 1936. Jimmy Driftwood was a teacher that wrote music to help interest his students in history. He was born in Mountain View, AR on June 20, 1907 and died July 12, 1988. During his career he wrote over six thousand folk songs.

Mountain View, AR is known as the “Folk Music Capital of the World” and is a great place to relax and enjoy the beautiful mountains of the Ozark.

Our library has many books and videos on Folk Music. You may wish to check out American Folk Songs for Children in Home, School and Nursery School: A Book for Children, Parents and Teachers by Ruth Crawford Seeger or Southern Folk Ballads published by August House Publishers of Little Rock, AR