Gourd Painting is just one of the many crafts featured in the National Harvest Festival.
“You know fall is coming to the Ozarks when the National Harvest Festival starts at Silver Dollar City,” said Tammy Johnson, the Director of Operations for the Branson Tourism Center. “It’s been an exciting and important part of fall in the Ozarks for decades.”
The National Harvest Festival is an inherent part of the experience that Silver Dollar City has provided its visitors since its early days “when its founding family wanted to share the ways of the Ozarks with visitors to the Ozark Mountains.” It is a festival of “American crafts and demonstrating craftsmanship – celebrating the handwork, the foods, the music and the long-established camaraderie of the harvest…” Long known for preserving our Ozarks, history, heritage and craftsmanship, the U.S. Congress recently recognized Silver Dollar City by proclaiming it “The Home of American Craftsmanship.”
Silver Dollar City’s “National Harvest Festival,” running from September 11 through October 30 not only illustrates the appropriateness of that recognition, but will provide Silver Dollar City guests with a unique opportunity to view a variety of some of the finest craftsmen in America. Over 130 visiting craftsmen from all over the country will demonstrate their art or craft. From glass blowing and painting to basket weaving, Native American flutes, knife making, basket weaving and many more crafts. The National Harvest Festival is one of the largest gatherings of demonstrating artists and craftsmen anywhere in America.
New to the Festival this year will be the “Craft in America Exhibit” from the creators of the Peabody awarded PBS documentary series featuring 50 works from nationally acclaimed artisans such as Kit Carson, Richard Notkin, Tom Joyce and many others; the “Craftsmen’s Reunion Showcase” featuring renowned craftsmen previously featured at Silver Dollar City such as noted outdoor artist Tom Crain and wood carver Peter Engler; the “Caricature Carvers of America Showcase” and the “Learn-How-To-Do-It-Yourself Craft Workshops.” Returning again this year will be the “Best of Missouri Hands” featuring some of the best of Missouri’s craftsmen and artists featuring juried members of the “Missouri Artisans Association” who are all Missouri residents and recognized as masters in their respective “medium.”
The National Harvest Festival will also present an original award winning musical production sharing the harrowing adventures and colorful characters of America’s westward expansion during the 1860s entitled “Headin’ West.” The production has ” surprising special effects, vivid scenery and talented performers and is Silver Dollar City’s biggest production show ever!” In 2009 it won the “Big-E” award for “Best Overall Production” presented by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Headin West will run from September 11 through October 24 at 11:30 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the Opera House Theatre.
Another fun activity of the National Harvest Festival will be the opportunity to participate in the “Missouri’s Largest Barn Dance.” It will be held on the giant dance floor inside the Red Gold Heritage Hall and feature live bands such as Horsecreek Band, Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys, Missouri Travelers and others will be playing your favorite country & western and western swing tunes. In addition, “seasoned dancers will be on hand to give tips and instruction to beginners.”
And what would a Harvest Festival be without the tastes of fall. From “Great Northern Ham and Beans” to “Indian Tacos,” “Wrangler’s Buffalo Chili, “Goodnight’s Son of a Gun Beef Stew” and desserts such as blackberry cobbler and hot apple dumplings, there is something for just about every palette as the “Tastes of America,” are shared in the restaurants throughout the park.
The National Harvest Festival starts September 11 and will run through October 30, Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. For information, schedules and tickets, feel free to contact the Branson Tourism Center, one of Branson’s largest and most respected vacation planning services and sellers of Branson show and attraction tickets and lodging. BTC can be reached by calling 800-785-1550 or through its website www.BransonTourismCenter.com.