Big Horn Basin Folk Festival

Come join us August 6-7, 2016, for a great weekend in Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis! We are celebrating Wyoming artists, artisans, craftsmen and craftswomen as well as our Wyoming heritage! And, if you come a day early, you can take advantage of our day-long wildlife photography workshop with Dr. Jeb Schenck.

For the second year, the Big Horn Basin Folk Festival will celebrate who we are - where we live - and what we do. What is special about Wyoming is we still work with our hands -- it's part of our heritage and even today's culture. Our artisans range from those who raise fiber animals and process their own fiber to those who work in forged metal; woodturners and furniture makers; basket makers and quilters; those who work in mixed media, rug hooking and rope making.

Folk Arts Demonstrators

This is a family-friendly event -- great for grandparents and grandkids -- parents and children -- young adults interested in how artisans take the traditional skills and adapt them to today's modern aesthetics. There will be plenty of crafts persons demonstrating their skills, eager to talk about what they do and their own special techniques. Many don't sell at shows but simply create for their friends, family or to carry on a skill, so it's a rare opportunity to be able to visit with them and see their work.

Juried Arts & Crafts Show

The Juried Art Show includes artisans who produce and sell their own work, and which has been recognized as quality in their chosen medium. This year's juror for the show is Steve Schlepferman, Cody, a fine arts potter and long-standing member of Wyoming Arts Council board of directors. Last year, our artists ranged from woodworkers and furniture makers to jewelers to mixed media. The Call to Artists closes July 28, 2016.

Kiwanis Craft Fair

You'll find food booths at the Kiwanis Craft Fair as well as those who sell "consumables," such as homemade soaps, candles, herbal and food products. There are also sale booths for those who represent groups of artisans (galleries, museums).

Gift of the Waters Pageant Days

This is the 66th consecutive year that the Gift of the Waters Pageant has been held in Hot Springs State Park. The terraces and hot springs had been used for years by the Native Americans, who believed that the waters were beneficial to health and that they could make a warrior invincible in battle. In 1896, representatives of the Wind River Reservation's Shoshone and Arapaho tribes sold the hot springs to the federal government, with the requirement that a portion of the land and springs be forever reserved for the use and benefit of all.

Wyoming Storytelling Circle

This year we have a very special event -- the first Wyoming "Storytelling Circle." Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of art -- and one of the first to which children are exposed. Before the internet, television and radio, people told stories around campfires, on porches and anywhere where families or friends gathered. We still do -- and we are celebrating storytelling with a special Storytelling Tent with storytellers all day Saturday and Sunday. It includes some good storytellers, whose repertoire ranges from tall tales to traditional stories. There'll be a story session Saturday afternoon just for kids, plus we'll have a cowboy poet (or two), a former state poet laureate, plus a nationally known storyteller.

The Wyoming Storytelling Circle is made possible by a grant from Wyoming Humanities Council.

Music at the Pavilion

We've got a great line-up this year -- from string band to Celtic to country blues to traditional - plus a big surprise! We had so many requests that we have added a late Saturday night music performance. Spencer Bohren, originally from Casper (now New Orleans) will headline the show along with Casper duo, The Tremors. Spencer frequently travels and plays in Wyoming, so we still consider him a Wyomingite -- plus his brother, Dale Bohren, who lives in Casper, is a member of the Tremors, along with Cory McDaniel. So we're looking to even more music than last year.

And because it was so popular last year, we asked "Miss V" to come back to do her homemade music kids' activity -- how to make and play your own music instrument from (almost) nothing. She'll offer the activity twice Saturday afternoon.

6:45-7:15 a.m. Pageant Days 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run; registration near Teepee Pool.

7:30 a.m. - Pageant Days Run begins.

9:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Big Horn Basin Folk Festival open, Hot Springs State Park: What’s Going On: * Juried Art Show * Kiwanis Craft Fair * Artisan Craft Guilds * Family-friendly Activities * Music in the Pavilion * “Hear Me Now” Storytelling Circle

9:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Featured demonstrators:

* David Osmundsen, Arrowhead Forge, Buffalo (metal forge), On the Green.

* Joey Puettman, Joey’s Foundation, Sheridan (bamboo fishing pole construction), Activity Circle.

* Von Ringler, Ringler Custom Leather, Powell - leather work demonstration with hands-on activity for kids, Activity Circle.

* Woodturning - Worland Wyoming Woodturners. Demonstrations, hands-on activities. Try out a wood lathe! See us make yo-yos from Wyoming Whiskey barrel staves. Special demonstrations: Jodi Bennett, Worland (pyrography), Barrie Lynn Bryant, Kirby (gilding, other techniques). Other demonstrators: Sam Angelo, Worland; Marc Bennett, Worland; Jared Lyman, Ten Sleep; Dave Morgan, Thermopolis; Mike Patrick, Worland. Worland Wyoming Woodturners Tent.

9:00 a.m. Color Thermopolis Mural. Hands-on activity (Darlington family), SWAG Guild Tent.

10:00 a.m. Annual Gift of the Waters Pageant Days Parade, Downtown Thermopolis.

10 a.m.-12 noon Origami Make-it-Take-it Activity, Gavin Turner, Thermopolis. SWAG Guild Tent.

After parade, about 11:00 a.m. Pageant Days Activity: Shoshone Dancers from Wind River Reservation, Downtown Thermopolis Flagpole, 5th & Broadway.

11:30 a.m.-noon Pageant Days Activity: Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department demonstration - near Plaza Inn, Hot Springs State Park.

11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. “Hear Me Now” Storytelling Circle open. Storytelling Tent.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. “Hear Me Now” Introducing the Storytellers: Spencer Bohren, Casper/New Orleans; Michelle King, Basin; Catherine Ringler, Powell; Jennisen Lucas, Cody; Marilyn Braaten, Thermopolis. Storytelling Tent, Hot Springs State Park.

11:30 a.m. Music at the Pavilion Stage opens.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Music: Miss V, “Gypsy Cowbelle,” Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

12 noon-3 p.m. Paint an Owl, Kids/Family activity, SWAG Guild Tent.

12 noon - Visit Food Court vendors! Today only! Kiwanis Burgers & Brats Feed, Kiwanis Shelter, Hot Springs State Park.

12:40-1:40 p.m. “Hear Me Now” Storytelling Spotlight: Michelle King, Basin; Catherine Ringler, Powell. Storytelling Tent.

12:45-1:45 p.m. Music: The Tremors - Cory McDaniel & Dale Bohren (eclectic), Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

1:00-2:00 p.m.

* Roping demonstration, John Herrin, Thermopolis, Activity Circle.

* Herbal crafts, Barb Love, Thermopolis. SWAG Guild Tent.

* Making a buffalo powder horn, Russ & Ray Ferree, Thermopolis. Activity Circle.

1:00-5:00 p.m.

* Taxidermy demonstration, Mark Whitlock, Worland, Activity Circle.

* Rawhide braiding demonstration, Jack Mease, Lander, Activity Circle.

* Rug hooking - Wild West Rug Hookers. Rug hooking demonstrations, Come meet Wyoming rug hookers and try it out! Patti Tyrrell, Shell; Sylvia Gauthier, Cody; Carol Messerli, Greybull; Debra Inglis, Clark. Wild West Rug Hookers Guild Tent.

1:30-2:30 p.m. Make your own music with household stuff - Miss V’s Kids’ Music Class, Activity Circle.

1:50-3:00 p.m. A Little Something Extra: Cameo appearances by Annie Hatch, Laramie; Echo Klaproth, Shoshoni (former Wyoming poet laureate); Dick Hall, Thermopolis, cowboy poet; Mike Hurwitz, Alta, original cowboy singer/songwriter. Storytelling Tent.

2:00-3:00 p.m. Music: Low Water String Band, Lander (string band), Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

3:10-4:00 p.m. Storytelling: Highlighting Spencer Bohren, Casper/New Orleans; Marilyn Braaten, Thermopolis; Jennisen Lucas, Cody; Catherine Ringler, Powell; Michelle King, Basin. Storytelling Tent.

3:15-4:15 p.m. Music: Jeff Troxel, Cody (finger-picking guitar), Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

3:15-4:15 p.m. Docent’s Tour with Annie Hatch, folklore specialist, Wyoming Arts Council - meet at SWAG Tent.

4:30-5:30 p.m. Music: Mike Hurwitz & Aimless Drifters, Alta (original cowboy country blues), Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

5:30-6:00 p.m. Gift of the Waters Pre-Pageant Music, Big Spring area, Hot Springs State Park.

6:00-7:00 p.m. 66th Annual Gift of the Waters Pageant, Big Spring area, Hot Springs State Park.

7:30-9 p.m. Spencer Bohren, Casper/New Orleans, with The Tremors (Cory McDaniel & Dale Bohren), Casper (eclectic). Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. What’s Going On in Hot Springs State Park: * Juried Art Show * Kiwanis Craft Fair * Artisan Craft Guilds * Family-friendly Activities * Music in the Pavilion * “Hear Me Now” Storytelling Circle * Gift of the Waters Pageant

Featured Demonstrators

* David Osmundsen (forge), Buffalo, Activity Circle.

* Von Ringler, Powell (leather demonstration, hands-on activity), Activity Circle.

* Woodturning - Worland Wyoming Woodturners. Demonstrations, hands-on activities. Try out a wood lathe! See yo-yos and spinning tops being made. Special demonstrations: Jodi Bennett (pyrography), Other techniques: Barrie Lynn Bryant, Kirby; Dave Morgan, Thermopolis; Sam Angelo, Worland. Worland Wyoming Woodturners Tent.

9:00-11:00 a.m. Knitting demonstration, Howie Samelson, SWAG Guild Tent.

9:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Activity: Mural Color Thermopolis (Darlington family), SWAG Guild Tent.

10:00-10:45 a.m. Storytelling: Spotlight on Jennisen Lucas, Cody; Catherine Ringler, Powell. Storytelling Tent.

10:30-11:30 a.m. Music: Heaven Bound, Basin (gospel). Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

10:50-11:00 a.m. A Little Something Extra: Annie Hatch - The Importance of Storytelling. Storytelling Tent.

11:00-2:00 p.m. Activity: Folk Art Techniques (hand-sewing) on Fabric Gifts make-it-take-it activity, Deb Stewart & Claudia Augustin, Thermopolis. SWAG Guild Tent.

11:10-11:50 a.m. Storytelling: Spotlight on Michelle King, Marilyn Braaten. Storytelling Tent.

11:45-12:30 p.m. Music: Rod Garnett & Lights along the Shore (ethnic & traditional music), Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

12 noon-1:00 p.m. Performance: Down the Dirt Road Blues, special presentation by Spencer Bohren. Storytelling Tent.

12 noon Don’t forget Food Court vendors!

12:45-1:45 p.m. Music: Connie Dover, Sunlight Basin (Celtic), Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

1:00-2:00 p.m. Tour the Festival with folk art expert Annie Hatch. Meet at SWAG Guild Tent.

1:10-2:10 p.m. Storytelling: A Little Something Extra: Mike Hurwitz, Alta; Miss V, “Gypsy Cowbelle,” Thermopolis; Dick Hall, cowboy poet, Thermopolis. Storytelling Tent.

2:00-2:45 p.m. Music: Rod Garnett and Lights Along the Shore (ethnic & traditional music). Come learn a Pravo Horo (Bulgarian folk dance!) Pavilion, Hot Springs State Park.

2:00-3:30 p.m. Adult activity: Make an Iris Basket, Sallie Wesaw, Thermopolis/Riverton. SWAG Guild Tent.

2:00-5:00 p.m. Get Down & Dirty! Family-friendly activities conducted by Red Dirt Master Gardeners. Paper towel gardening & more! SWAG Guild Tent.

2:20-3:20 p.m. Storytelling: Spotlight: Jennisen Lucas, Cody; Spencer Bohren. Storytelling Tent.

2:45-3:15 p.m. Make your own music with household stuff - Miss V’s Kids’ Music Class, Activity Circle.

3:00-4:00 p.m. Music: Mike Hurwitz and the Aimless Drifters, Alta. Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

3:30-4 p.m. Storytelling: OLIO (wrap-up): Michelle King, Basin; Marilyn Braaten, Thermopolis; Jennisen Lucas, Cody; Catherine Ringler, Powell; Spencer Bohren. Storytelling Tent.

4-5 p.m. Open acoustic jam. Everyone welcome. Sponsored by Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation and Local Jammers. Pavilion Stage, Hot Springs State Park.

4-5:00 p.m. Last opportunity to buy that neat piece of art you saw! Make the rounds before the Juried Art Show and Kiwanis Trading Post close.

5:00 p.m. Juried Art Show, Kiwanis Trading Post, Demonstrators close. Don’t forget to attend the Gift of the Waters Pageant presentation starting at 5:30 p.m.

5:30-6:00 p.m. Gift of the Waters Pre-Pageant Music, Big Spring area, Hot Springs State Park.

6:00-7:00 p.m. 66th Annual Gift of the Waters Pageant, Big Spring area, Hot Springs State Park.

Big Horn Basin Folk Festival

AUGUST 6-7, 2016 Thermopolis, Wyoming