2017 Spring Planting & Music Festival

 

In celebration of these skills and traditions of spring, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is hosting the 17th annual Spring Planting and Music Festival April 29, 2017.

 

Mule teams working

WHAT TO EXPECT
During the festival, crafter's demonstrate forgotten arts, such as blacksmithing, pelt making, hand spinning, weaving, woodcarving, chair caning, marble making, garden herb lore and use, and candle wicking.

In addition, there will be children’s activities, interpretative talks, trail-runs, bird watching and wildflower guided walks, vendors demonstrating and selling their wares, and food sales.

There are displays of antique farm tools, farm animals and old-timey toys which will delight young and old alike.

Toe-tapping tunes of mountain music are performed throughout the area by various groups such as the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club (please see below for the set list).

Of special interest is the plowing and planting with mules and horses which takes place at the Lora Blevins field. Other demonstrations will take place at the Oscar Blevins Farm Site as well.

 

LIVE MUSIC
A diverse range of live music acts scheduled* to perform includes bluegrass, traditional Appalachian, singer-songwriter, Americana, and a flute circle. Scheduled music performances will occur from 9:30 am to 4:15 pm (ET).

LIVE MUSIC LINE-UP

MUSIC TIME	PERFORMER	LOCATION
9:30-10:15	Spruce Creek Ramblers	Bandy Creek
10:15-10:30	Interlude
10:30-11:15	Spirit Winds	Bandy Creek
11:15-11:30	Interlude
11:30-12:15	Standing Stone Bluegrass	Bandy Creek
12:15-12:30	Interlude
12:30-1:15	Spirit Winds	Bandy Creek
1:15-1:30	Interlude
1:30-2:15	Rusty Rooster Band	Bandy Creek
2:15-2:30	Interlude
2:30-3:15	Slaven Sisters	Bandy Creek
3:15-3:30	Interlude	Bandy Creek
3:30-4:15	TJ Fincher	Bandy Creek
10:00-3:00	Gerald Hanwright	Oscar Blevins
All Day	Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club	Lora Blevins
All Day	Smoky Mountain Flute Circle	Lora Blevins

*Musician and time are subject to change.

 

RANGER-LED PROGRAMS & INTERPRETIVE DEMONSTRATIONS

 

OSCAR BLEVINS FARM AREA

All Day	Trapping & Pelts, by the Mullen Family
All Day	Quilting & Embroidery, by Meredith Mullen
All Day	Knot Dolls, by Deannia Murphy
All Day	Candlewick embroidery, by Rita Perry
All Day	Farmstead Skills & Woodworking, by Sam Perry
All Day	Split Rail Fencing, by Gary Sexton

Interpretive programs, demonstrations, and other related events are subject to change or be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

LORA BLEVINS FARM AREA

9:00 -- Mid Afternoon	Plowing of the Fields
All Day	Farm Garden
All Day	Chickens & Other Farm Animals
All Day	Farm Implements Display
All Day	Hand Spinning with Goat Hair and other Farm Animals
All Day	Smoky Mountain Flute Circle
All Day	Mountain Dulcimer Music, by the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club

Interpretive programs, demonstrations, and other related events are subject to change or be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

BANDY CREEK VISITOR CENTER AREA

TIME	PROGRAM	LOCATION
8-9:00 a.m.	Bird Walk, with Dr. Chuck Nicholson	Bandy Creek Pool
9:00 a.m.	Flag Raising Ceremony, by the Boy Scouts	Visitor Center Area
11-12:00 p.m.	Wildflower Hike along the Leatherwood Ford Trail	Leatherwood Ford
11:00-11:30 p.m.	Owls & Hawks Interpretive Program -- One	Amphitheater
1:00-1:30 p.m.	Owls & Hawks Interpretive Program -- Two	Amphitheater
All Day	Junior Ranger Scavenger Hunt Activity	Visitor Center
All Day	Fourth Grade Art Contest	Visitor Center
All Day	Blacksmithing, by Mack Davenport	Visitor CenterArea
All Day	Chair Caning, by the Matthias Family	Visitor Center Area
All Day	Old Timey Toys	Toy Tent
All Day	Marble Making, by Paul Davis	Toy Tent
All Day	Marble Games with Ranger Shawn, from Standing Stone State Park	Toy Tent
All Day	Modern Blacksmithing, by Roy & Greg Davis	Visitor Center Area

Interpretive programs, demonstrations, and other related events are subject to change or be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

frequently asked questions

 

Mule team ready to work

Where is the event taking place?

Event activities will occur in the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area, the Lora Blevins home site, and the Oscar Blevins farm.

What about parking and getting around?

A designated bus parking area is available for large groups. There will be shuttles running between the three sites every 15 minutes to allow the visitor to experience all the activities.

How much does it cost to attend?
This event is free to attend.

What may I bring for increased comfort?
Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and bug spray and enjoy a great day of good food and music!

Where can I get more information?
For more information, call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at [phone].

Please click here for a downloadable brochure on the day's events.