The annual Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival will be held June 5, 2021, in and around the West Plains Civic Center. The annual event in downtown West Plains, Mo., celebrates Ozarks music and culture. Admission to all festival events is free. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
FESTIVAL CHANGES FOR SAFETY
With COVID-19 not firmly in the rearview mirror, the festival committee adapted this year’s event to fit the times. All events and activities will be outdoors, except for the Jig Dance Competition which will be held in the Civic Center Exhibit Hall, and workshops in the Dogwood Rooms where there’s lots of space for social distancing.
Demonstrators – Our demonstrators and traditional artisans will each have their own canopy instead of being combined under a larger tent. This should allow lots of space for you to visit with each of them.
Open Jams Encouraged – We hope those who are looking for an open jam spot will take advantage of the individual canopies scattered throughout the grounds, chairs provided.
The Quilt Show has postponed their 2021 show, and we hope to have them back in 2022.
Square dances will not be held this year, but traditional square dance will return in 2022.
“Our Town – Then and Now” – a wonderful art exhibit by eleven area artists – is available on the Mezzanine. Masks are encouraged if you wish to come in to view the exhibit.
The 2021 schedule draft is up on the website, and updates will be added as confirmed.
Updates of any type will also be posted to the website and Facebook pages.
https://www.facebook.com/Old.Time.Music.Festival
The Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival is the signature event for West Plains. The festival seeks to celebrate, preserve, pass on and nurture an appreciation of the old-time music and folk life traditions distinctive to the Ozark Highlands.
2021 Festival partners include the West Plains Council on the Arts, the City of West Plains, the Ozark Heritage Welcome Center, West Plains Civic Center, and Missouri State University-West Plains. Partial funding for this event was provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
