Come join us August 6-7, 2016, for a great weekend in Thermopolis, Wyoming, and Hot Springs State Park. 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.
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Pre-Festival Workshop
Saturday, August 5
Outdoor Photography Fieldtrip/Workshop with Dr. Jeb Schenck.
Gift of the Waters Pageant Days Events
Saturday, August 6
10:30 a.m. Native American dance demonstration – downtown Thermopolis, flagpole at 5th & Broadway
6:00-7:00 p.m. Gift of the Waters pageant with Native American dance.
Sunday, August 7
6:00-7:00 p.m. Gift of the Waters pageant with Native American dance.
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Big Horn Basin Folk Festival Music Events
Music at the Pavilion, Hot Springs State Park (across from the State Bathhouse)
Saturday, August 6
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. “Miss V, the Gypsy Cowbelle,” Thermopolis. Traditional and original folk, guitar and handcrafted banjo.
12:45-1:45 p.m. The Tremors (Cory McDaniel & Dave Bohren), Casper. Eclectic and fun music, roots and blues.
2:00-3:00 p.m. Low Water String Band, Lander. Old-time string band and bluegrass.
3:15-4:15 p.m. Jeff Troxel, Cody, national award-winning finger-picking guitarist. Bluegrass and country.
4:30-5:30 p.m. Mike Hurwitz & the Aimless Drifters, Alta. Prairie blues, country & Western.
7:30-9:00 p.m. Spencer Bohren with The Tremors (Dale Bohren & Cory McDaniel).
Sunday, August 7
10:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday morning gospel with Heaven Bound, Basin.
11:45-12:30 p.m. Rod Garnett & Lights Along the Shore, Laramie. Traditional and eclectic.
12:45-1:45 p.m. Connie Dover, Sunlight Basin. Traditional music of the British Isles (English and Gaelic).
2:00-2:45 p.m. Rod Garnett & Lights Along the Shore, Laramie. Eastern European ethnic & traditional music and Pravo Horo dance – plus more surprises.
3:00-4:00 p.m. Mike Hurwitz & the Aimless Drifters, Alta. Prairie blues, country & Western.
4:00-5:00 p.m. Open acoustic music jam.
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Storytelling Circle
Storytelling Circle will be open in the big tent 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. There’s shade and chairs to sit a spell and enjoy a good old-fashioned story.
This year we have a very special event — the first Wyoming “Storytelling Circle.” Storytelling is one of the oldest form of art — and one of the first to which we as 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 and some of our good storytellers, ranging from tall tales to traditional stories — plus we’ll have a cowboy poet (or two) and a former state poet laureate, weighing in with a nationally known storyteller!
Spencer Bohren, New Orleans/Casper, moderator
Marilyn Bratten, Thermopolis
Dick Hall, Thermopolis, cowboy poetry
Annie Hatch, Cheyenne, Wyoming Arts Council folk arts specialist
Michelle King, Worland
Echo Roy Klaproth, Shoshoni, Wyoming poet laureate 2013-2014
Catherine Ringler, Powell
Jason Burge, Cheyenne, Wyoming Humanities Council
plus drop-ins and local storytellers!
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Folk Arts Demonstrators
Officially demonstrations are open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. But demonstrators vary throughout the day, with some available both Saturday and Sunday while others are only demonstrating for a few hours.
If you have ever wondered how someone makes a metal spoon or carves a wood bowl — how to spin a thread or make a banjo — this is your chance to not only see the work but to talk to the artist and even try it out yourself.
One of the special qualities about people in Wyoming is we still work with our hands — it’s part of our heritage and even today’s culture. And people are willing to share their expertise. Many of these people do not attend shows or sell their work so you have a rare opportunity to meet them.
For the second year, the Big Horn Basin Folk Festival will celebrate who we are – where we live – and what we do.
John Herrin, Thermopolis – Let John show you roping basics.
Red Dirt Master Gardeners – Herb culture and gardening are part of our folk heritage. Members of the group will be on hand to do herbal crafts and hands-on activities for kids.
Jack Mease, Lander – Mease is one of the state’s best rawhide braiders and has taught many of his younger cohorts.
David Osmundsen, Arrowhead Forge, Buffalo – forged metal work
David Osmundsen, Arrowhead Forge, Buffalo, will be demonstrating metal forge skills.
Smoking Waters Art Guild – Check out the SWAG tent – they have demonstration and kids’ activities set up throughout the festival, everything from knitting to painting to paper making.
Von Ringler, Powell, fine leather work – Von likes working with kids, and he has hands-on activities.
Wild West Rug Hookers Guild – Guild members will be on site to show you how it’s done and to let you try your hand at hooking.
Worland Wyoming Woodturners – members of the guild will be on site with three wood lathes – visitors can watch a demonstration and try it themselves. Guild members will be making yo-yos, spinning tops, bowls, jars, finger rings, picture frames — and more!
Sallie Wesaw, Thermopolis, weaving baskets using Iris.
Sallie Wesaw, Wesaw Studio, Thermopolis, basket maker – take a mini-workshop and let Sallie show you how to make a basket using iris stalks!
Mark Whitlock, Wildlife Creations, Worland, taxidermy – Mark’s work on large and small critters is creative and fun. (Don’t miss the skunk!)
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Juried Art Show
Officially open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. but many will be available earlier or later.
The Juried Art Show includes artisans who produce and sell work recognized for 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.
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Kiwanis Craft Fair
Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
The Kiwanis Craft Fair includes the food court and those who sell “consumables,” such as homemade soaps, candles, herbal and food products; those who represent artisans (galleries, museums) but who sell the work of others; and many others. Come for some surprises!
