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EUREKA SPRINGS' ORIGINAL
OZARK FOLK FESTIVAL

by staff writer
AR Department of Parks and Tourism

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No matter who the headliners for Eureka Springs' Original Ozark Folk Festival are each October, you are assured of a real lineup of 'who's who in bluegrass' talented performers.

The two day festival event in the historic City Auditorium, each year features a variety of different bluegrass performers such as:
Ricky Skaggs, best known for his live shows, Grand Ole Oprey appearances, recordings and numerous accolades including two Album of the Year awards, twelve # 1 singles in Billboard Magazine and his esteem among critics, fellow musicians and countless fans.;
Kentucky Thunder All-Star Band with its non-stop, no-holds-barred energy reflecting both sincere enthusiasm and consummate professionalism including veteran fiddler player Bobby Hicks (who performed on many of Bill Monroe's best known recordings), Luke Bulla (fiddle), Paul Brewster (tenor vocals, rhythm guitar), Mark Fain (bass), Jim Mills (banjo), Clay Hess (lead guitar), and Darrin Vincent (baritone vocals, rhythm guitar).;
The Del McCoury Band, commonly referred to as "The First Family of Bluegrass Music", features one of the most powerful high tenor voices in bluegrass music today, Del McCoury - a former member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, the Virginia Playboys and the Blue Ridge Ramblers. The elder McCoury is an entertainer of the highest caliber and stands as one of the most genuine, affable souls in the business of bluegrass. His distinguished band is as versatile an outfit as one could ever imagine and both singularly and collectively, the members of the Del McCoury Band continue to secure their place as Bluegrass legends. With a total of twenty-four International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards to their credit, they've become the organization's most honored band of the past nine years.

Other Folk Festival activities include the selection of the Festival Queen at the Auditorium followed by the traditional Barefoot Ball at the Basin Park Ballroom. There will be live music in Basin Park all day Saturday, a festive parade down Spring Street Saturday afternoon and old time gospel music and sing-along on Sunday morning.

There are numerous Grand prizes given in several contests including: a "Tall Tales Mouth Off", Perttiest Whistl'n", Hoop Roll'n, Longest Beard, Biggest Bubble, and Pumpkin Carving in the Park contest. The festival is an awesome experience, one that brings new and old audiences alike to their feet.

For more information including dates, featured performers and ticket prices and availability for the Eureka Springs City Auditorium, log on to www.eurekasprings.org or call 501-253-7788 or 888-855-7823 to order tickets.

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Article reprinted here with permission - All rights reserved. Staff travel writer
Department of Parks and Tourism One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201