Folk festival music lineup announced

The Fifth Annual Big Horn Basin Folk Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4, in Hot Springs State Park.

The music lineup for the festival brings a multitude of talent to the pavilion stage in the park on both. There will be performances, including dancing, from roughly 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Saturday, emceed by Band and Choir teacher Drew Brown, has shaped up with Dan Haley (Worland) who performs blues and other favorites; and Dr. Mongo (Thermopolis), with his eclectic covers. Harold Hutson (Thermopolis) and friends will also take the stage. Nikole Wohlmacher (Lander), a regular host of country western swing dancing, will perform and teach.

Members of the Wyoming Chapter of the International Western Music Association (IWMA) will be on board to perform. This will include: “V,” The Gypsy Cowbelle (Thermopolis) a familiar face and the organizer of the members who are participating; Jerry Bell (Riverton), a longtime Wyoming cowboy and lover of music & cowboy poetry; Almeda Bradshaw (Huntley, MT), who has performed at cowboy gatherings throughout the west for over two decades; John Sidle (Jackson) who features classic ‘40s and ‘50s western tunes from the movies and Tin Pan Alley, as well as contemporary cowboy singer/songwriters; and Ramblin’ Rangers (Hot Springs, S.D.) Brad and BonnieJo Exton, former Forest and Park Rangers who share songs and lore of the West.

An equally exciting Sunday lineup, emceed by our own Eric Kay, wearer of many hats in our schools, will bring back members of the Wyoming Chapter of the IWMA “V”, the Gypsy Cowbelle, Almeda Bradshaw, John Sidle and Ramblin’ Rangers. The Songbirds (Thermopolis) will share their renditions of spiritual and gospel music. Connie Dover (Sunshine Basin) will also take the stage with her Scots, Irish and American traditional ballads.

There will also be more Western Swing Dancing with Nikole Wohlmacher. Harold Hutson and Friends will entertain again. John Brooks with Silvertip Digital Sound Reinforcement will provide the sound system.

The festival is open to the public without charge. Food will be available throughout the day on both days.

The festival is held the same weekend as the Gift of the Waters Pageant Days. The pageant tells how the hot springs were given to the state by the Native Americans on the Wind River Reservation. It will be performed starting around 6 p.m. in the area around the Big Spring, Saturday and Sunday.

Contact bighornbasinfolkfestival@gmail.com for specific inquiries or visit wyomingfolkfestival.com. Applications for vendor space in the Kiwanis Art Fair and the Trading Post can be downloaded from the festival website. Applications will be accepted through July 27.

Please note, the performer lineup is subject to change. A more detailed roster of artists, performers, and programs will be published closer to the event.