Area artists represented at BHB Folk Festival

Participants from the Big Horn Basin are dominant in the lineup at the Fifth Annual Big Horn Basin Folk Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 3 and 4, in Hot Springs State Park. The festival showcases the handwork and creativity of Wyoming’s artists, craftsmen, musicians, and storytellers. Wyoming’s Year of the Woman and Herstory are a running theme for this year’s event.

Festival music and stage performances by area artists include Dan Haley (Worland), blues and other favorites; Dr. Mongo (Thermopolis), eclectic covers; Harold Hutson & Friends (Thermopolis), variety of covers; Eric Kay (Thermopolis), covers and commentary; The Songbirds (Thermopolis), spiritual and gospel music; and V~ The Gypsy Cowbelle (Kirby), signature “Genuine Cowbilly” music.

Women in Herstory and the Hear Me Now Storytelling features many members of the Big Horn Basin Storytelling Guild and the Hot Springs County Pioneer Association. Marilyn Braaten (Thermopolis); Ashley Brawley (Thermopolis) as Nellie Hodgson; Katie Burrows (Thermopolis); Toddi Darlington (Thermopolis) as Lillian Heath; Becky Hutson (Thermopolis), as Elinor Pruitt; Michelle King (Basin); Jennisen Lucas (Cody); Cathy Ringler (Clark) as Lucy Moore; Carol Shaffer (Thermopolis) as Dora McGrath; V~ The Gypsy Cowbelle (Kirby) as Elinor Pruitt; and Barb Vietti and Janet Chimenti (Thermopolis) as Emajane Tomes.

Activities for kids of all ages will be led by local favorites Smoking Waters Art Guild member Cindy Clancy (Thermopolis), frog rock painting; John Herrin (Thermopolis), rope a steer head; Von Ringler (Clark), make a leather bookmark; and V~ The Gypsy Cowbelle (Kirby), musical play and sing along.

The Folk Master Craftsmen Demonstrators tent will feature locals Mike Chimenti and Howard Palmer (Thermopolis), Fly Tying; Stephanie Owens (Thermopolis), lampwork beds and polymer clay sculpture; Gayle Phipps (Thermopolis), textiles and weaving; Von Ringler (Clark), leathercraft; Wild West Rug Hookers (Shell), rug hooking and weaving; Pete Weisbeck (Thermopolis), boat and water craft making; and Worland Wyoming Woodturners (Thermopolis, Worland).

Among those displaying and selling their art, wares, and food will be Tim and Ann Bushnell and Lisa Mann (all Cody); Katie Williamson (Deavor); Kami Eldridge, Stephanie Owens and Jason Owens, Cindy Toth, Travis Winger, Sherri Burrows, Smoking Waters Art Guild members, Charlotte Thomas, Judy Cramer, Thermopolis Rotary Club, and Rachel Turner (all Thermopolis); Amy Handford, Worland Wyoming Woodturners, Sherry Stottler, Marie Parsons, Jennifer Taylor, Diana Scranton, and Leona Smith (all Worland).

The festival is open to the public without charge, and a Food Court will feature a variety of eats 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 pm in the area around the Big Spring, Saturday and Sunday evening.

Contact bighornbasinfolkfestival@gmail.com for specific inquiries or visit wyomingfolkfestival.com.

Note: The schedule and lineups are subject to change. A more detailed roster of artists, performers, and programs can be found at wyomingfolkfestival.com. Look for the program insert in this edition of the Thermopolis Independent Record.