Basin artists represented at BHB folk festival

The Third Annual Big Horn Basin Folk Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 5 and 6, 2017, in Hot Springs State Park. The festival celebrates the handwork and creativity of Wyoming’s artists, craftsmen, musicians and storytellers.

Come to the festival to enjoy and support your local talent. Appearing as part of the special Folk Masters presentations will be Ernie Marsh, Lovell, silversmithing and Alex Whistler, Powell, leatherwork.

Spinning tales in the Storytelling Circle will be Michelle King, Worland; Catherine Ringler, Powell; Marilyn Bratten, Thermopolis; and Dick Hall, Thermopolis, cowboy poetry.

Enjoy the specialties of featured demonstrators like Sylvia Gauthier, Cody, rug hooking and the Worland Wyoming Woodturners.

Artists displaying and selling their wares include Jeri Rush, Basin, textiles, paper; Wild West Rug Hookers Guild members Debra Inglis, Clark and Patty Tyrrell, Shell; Von Ringler, Powell, Ringler Custom Leather; Sherri Burrows, Thermopolis, jewelry & crafts; Cynthia Dragon, Thermopolis, vintage repurposing; Sue McCann, Thermopolis, felting, weaving; Sherry Stottler, Worland, pastels; Debbie Stroppel, Thermopolis, Hawkwoman Photography; Rachel Turner, Thermopolis, rag rugs; Cindy Toth, Thermopolis, textiles; Jeanne Waltz, Thermopolis, jewelry; Jennifer Taylor, Winchester, goat milk soap; Amy Handford, Worland, candles, décor; Marie Parsons, Worland, oil paintings; Diana Scranton, Worland, beadwork; Cheri Shelp, Worland, CloudPeak Weavers; and James Yule, Worland, photography.

Song and dance are also the order of the day and will be presented by Heaven Bound, Basin, Sunday morning gospel; Connie Dover, Sunshine Basin, traditional Celtic; Miss V, the Gypsy Cowbelle, Thermopolis, traditional & original country cowgirl, banjo & guitar; and Rattlesnake Ridge, Worland, country/rock/blues. Rattlesnake Ridge will perform on Saturday night on the Pavilion Stage from 7pm to 9pm.

The festival is open to the public without charge. It is sponsored by Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation and Hot Springs State Park with support from Wyoming Arts Council, Wyoming Humanities Council, and Hot Springs Travel & Tourism. Additional support comes from Hot Springs County Education Endowment, Thermopolis Community Fund, Pinnacle Bank and Las Fuentes.

The festival is held the same weekend as the Gift of the Waters Pageant Days. There is a Pageant Parade in downtown Thermopolis at 10am on Saturday, followed by Shoshone Dancers performing at the Flagpole at 11am. The Gift of the Waters Pageant, which tells how the hot springs were given to the state by the Native Americans on the Wind River Reservation, will be performed at 6-7 pm in the area around the Big Spring, Saturday and Sunday evening.

Check http://www.wyomingfolkfestival.com for hours and more details.