The heritage of the Ozarks is closely tied to the hard work of early settlers who found ways to get by with often limited resources in the south-central Missouri region. The work was and is balanced by the simple pleasures to be found in enjoyment of the rugged natural beauty of area surroundings, the creativity which spills out in artisanship, and the traditional music which has filled the hills and hollers through the years in the churches, schools, community centers, homes, and barns which served as venues for traditional singers, musicians, and dancers.
In West Plains, during the first week of June, all these notions merge for Ozark Heritage Week, a string of festivities and events offering something for everyone! Spend a few days, and you can enjoy it all. The Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival; the Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Association (HOBA) Spring Bluegrass Festival; the Heart of the Ozarks Fair; the Harlin Museum Ozark Heritage Exhibit featuring the works of Lennis L. Broadfoot; and the Ozarks Heritage Research Center all have a role to play in the celebration. Locals and visitors alike will find plenty to do and will likely learn something new by taking part in all or some of what’s happening during the week.
As a kick-off, starting on June 3, is the fair at the Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds, the longest-running event happening during the week. For many decades, it has been the traditional county fair held to recognize agricultural and other farm-life efforts throughout the region, offering ribbons and prize money to folks for showing off the best of their livestock, gardening efforts, home canning and baking skills, and more. Recognition of those efforts continues today, along with a full-scale carnival and grandstand events featuring gospel music, motocross, a truck pull and demolition derby. See the full schedule at heartoftheozarksfair.net.
On Thursday, June 6, HOBA starts its 41st Annual Spring Bluegrass Festival, a three-day event putting traditional music front and center in the setting of the peaceful HOBA Park, 1138 Bluegrass Lane. Featuring a natural amphitheater feel, the venue is barely five minutes away from downtown West Plains. The stage is covered, but the seating is open-air and shaded, so bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the show. Camping is available. Visit hobabluegrass for schedule, pricing, and campsite information.
Also on Thursday, and continuing through Sunday, June 9, the Harlin Museum, 405 Worcester Avenue, will be open from noon to 4 p.m. to show off its L.L. Broadfoot collection, the most complete collection of art by the accomplished Shannon County, Missouri, artist. Broadfoot is best known as the artist who immortalized the often-enigmatic people, places, and traditions of the turn-of-the-century Ozarks region, while also offering a first-hand narrative in the writings that frequently accompanied his works. See other artifacts of early settlers while you’re at the museum. Admission is free, but donations are accepted for this all-volunteer, nonprofit organization. This exhibit continues Thursdays-Sundays through September 29.
On Friday, June 7, the 30th Annual Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival gets underway in and around Historic Downtown West Plains and at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. Running from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. both Friday and Saturday, it’s the biggest West Plains’ festival of the year, and admission is free to all events! Always focused on music, food, and vendors, this year, there’s an added theme, “Agriculture – Past, Present & Future.” Antique tractors and machinery will grind corn, make ice cream, and play music on a hand-made calliope. There will be a mule-jumping competition, and the Journey Stagecoach will be on display. There are workshops for jig dancing, harmonica, and mountain dulcimer. A nationally acclaimed fly-fishing guide and Dutch-oven chef will be featured, along with a living history encampment demonstrating traditional arts, crafts, cooking, and retail. Headliners are Branson’s CJ Newsom Classic Country with comedian Terry Sanders on Friday, and from Springfield, Missouri, Big Smith on Saturday, both starting at 8 p.m. in the Civic Center theater. Find the complete schedule at oldtimemusic.org.
Tying it all together is one of the newer institutions in town, the Ozarks Heritage Research Center (OHRC), located in the Garnett Library, 304 W. Trish Knight St., on the campus of Missouri State University-West Plains. The mission of OHRC is to acquire and make accessible a variety of materials to promote critical study of the Ozarks. The Center is building a collection of documents and visual sources that represent the history and cultural heritage of the southern Missouri Ozarks. A 6’ x 20’ Ozarks-themed mural is on display there. Materials are available for viewing during regular hours open, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Closed Saturdays.
So, there it is! A whole slew of things to do in West Plains During Ozark Heritage Week, June 3-8, celebrating music, agriculture, resilience, and more.