Come join us August 5-6, 2017, 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!
What is different about the Big Horn Folk Festival?
- The BHB Folk Festival is designed to promote the best of Wyoming artists, artisans, skilled crafts persons, musicians and storytellers. It is a celebration of our own people and our own resourcefulness. For travelers, it’s a chance to meet and talk with “real” Wyomingites who are glad to show you their skills and tell you their stories. For Wyoming artists, it’s a chance to meet other artists and even to learn from them. And if you make art to sell, it is a good opportunity to show your quality, maybe even your quirkiness.
- The setting in Hot Springs State Park is friendly and inviting, with tables and benches scattered throughout the park if you want to take a break. The park features mineral hot springs and water features, including the free state bath house and concessionaires. There’s a dog park, paved walkways next to the river and throughout the park. The upper buffalo pasture is an expanse of native plants and animals. The buffalo herd is Wyoming’s state herd, bred here for true bison bloodlines for over 100 years.
- Hot Springs State Park is only a half-mile paved walk to downtown Thermopolis, which maintains its small-town rural atmosphere.
- Festival events and entertainment are designed for all ages. There’s hands-on activities for little kids, families and seniors. Many demonstrators and juried artisans have “make-and-take” activities.
- It features old friends and new ones in all areas — music, art and activities.
- The park and Festival is handicap- and age-friendly.
- There is no gate or entry fee for visitors into the park or the Festival.
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Schedules are subject to change!
Big Horn Basin Folk Festival Music Events
Music at the Pavilion, Hot Springs State Park (across from the State Bathhouse)
Saturday, August 5, 2017
- 11:30 a.m. Darrell Lonebear, Wind River Arapahoe, hand-drumming
- 12:05 p.m. Miss V, “Gypsy Cowbelle,” Thermopolis, traditional & original country cowgirl, banjo & guitar
- 1:00 p.m. Mt. Sinai Synagogue Dancers, Cheyenne, Jewish/Israeli dance
- 2:00 p.m. Jared Rogerson, Pinedale, country/Americana/Western/folk
- 3:00 p.m. Whiskey Slaps, Laramie, traditional styles with contemporary picking & harmonies; guitar, mandolin, stand-up bass
- 4:00 p.m. Round the Bend, Laramie, traditional folk
- 7:00 p.m. Rattlesnake Ridge, Worland, country/rock/blues
Sunday, August 6, 2017
- 10:30 a.m. Heaven Bound, Basin, Sunday morning gospel
- 11:45 p.m. Mount Sinai Synagogue Dancers, Cheyenne, Jewish/Israeli dance
- 12:30 p.m. Connie Dover, Sunshine Basin, traditional Celtic
- 1:30 p.m. Dave Munsick & the Little Big Band, Sheridan, cowboy/country
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Wyoming Arts Council FolkMasters
11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Steve Dabbs, Sheridan, saddles/trees
- Marcus Dewey, Arapahoe, beadwork
- Gloria Goggles/Jennifer Runs through Lodge, Fort Washakie, parfleche
- Leanne Linnell/Brook Miller, Riverton/Shoshoni, horsehair hitching
- Darrell & Tyson Lonebear, Fort Washakie, hand drumming
- Tom Lucas, Lander, Bighorn Sheep horn bows
- Ernie Marsh/James Guyllon, Lovell/Jeffrey City, silversmithing
- Jack Mease/Mila Ready, Lander/Hudson, rawhide braiding
- Von Ringler/Alex Whistler, Powell, leatherwork
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Storytelling Circle
Storytelling Circle will be open in the big tent Saturday and Sunday. There’s shade and chairs to sit a spell and enjoy a good old-fashioned story.
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!
Storytellers
David Romtvedt, Buffalo
Marilyn Bratten, Thermopolis
Michelle King, Worland
Echo Roy Klaproth, Shoshoni, Wyoming poet laureate 2013-2014
Darrah Perez, Wind River Reservation
Catherine Ringler, Powell
Cameo appearances by:
Darrell Lonebear, Wind River Arapahoe, hand-drumming
Tom Lucas, Dubois
Ernie Marsh, Lovell
Micah Schweizer, Laramie
Schedule
Saturday, August 5
12:30 p.m. David Romtvedt, Ellen Sue Blakey
12:40 p.m. Big Horn Basin Storytellers Guild: Michelle King, Jennison Lucas,
Catherine Ringler, Marilyn Braaten
1:30 p.m. David Romtvedt
1:45 p.m. Special cameos: Micah Schweizer, Echo Klaproth, Miss V
2:15 p.m. Native American storytelling: Darrah Perez, Darrell Lonebear
2:40 Big Horn Basin Storytellers Guild: Michelle King, Jennison Lucas,
Catherine Ringler, Marilyn Braaten
3:40 David Romtvedt, Ellen Sue Blakey
Sunday, August 6
10 a.m. David Romtvedt, Ellen Sue Blakey
10:15 Big Horn Basin Storytellers Guild: Michelle King, Jennison
Lucas, Catherine Ringler, Marilyn Braaten
12 noon Friends of the Library Special Presentation of reading and performance with Thermopolis Middle School students and Becky Hutson.
1:00 p.m. FolkMasters: Tom Lucas, Ernie Marsh
2:00 p.m. David Romtvedt
2:15 Big Horn Basin Storytellers Guild: Michelle King, Jennison Lucas, Catherine Ringler, Marilyn Braaten
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Folk Arts Demonstrators & Guilds
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 third year, the Big Horn Basin Folk Festival will celebrate who we are – where we live – and what we do.
Special Guests (demonstrations)
David Osmundsen, Arrowhead Forge, Buffalo, metal forge skills. All day both days.
Wes Whipple, Thermopolis, handmade knives.
John Herrin, Thermopolis, roping demonstration. Saturday & Sunday, 11:25 a.m.
Smoking Waters Art Guild – Check out the SWAG tent – they have demonstration and kids’ activities throughout the festival, everything from knitting to painting. All day both days.
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. Saturday only.
Worland Wyoming Woodturners – Guild members will be on site with three wood lathes – visitors can watch a demonstration and try it themselves. Demonstrations of woodturning, pyrography. All day both days.
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Invitational Art Show
Officially open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. but many set up earlier.
The Invitational Art Show artisans produce and sell work recognized for quality in their chosen medium.
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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!
Saturday, noon-1:30 p.m.: Kiwanis Burger & Brats luncheon
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Kids’ Activities
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Kids’ Garden Arts activities – sponsored by Red Dirt Master Gardeners; in Smoking Waters Art Guild Tent
times to be determined – How to Make Music from Things Around Your House (for kids) – Miss V
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Gift of the Waters Pageant Days Events
Saturday, August 5
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 6
6:00-7:00 p.m. Gift of the Waters pageant with Native American dance.
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