Thursday, September 3rd
Hedgerhoppers with Still on the Hill
The Auditorium
Thursday, September 3rd, 6:00 pm
Get ready for a heartwarming tradition that’s been going strong for over 70 years – the Hedgehoppers! This class of third graders from Eureka Springs performs a traditional Ozark dance and song, preserving a form of Ozark square dancing that’s been around since 1947.
Along with Eureka's longest tradition, Still on the Hill will be performing at The Auditorium. Still on the Hill is a national and international touring group from Arkansas that has been described as “Ambassadors of the Ozarks” for the work they do to preserve a rich culture that is quickly disappearing.
Kelly & Donna of Still on the Hill are award-winning ‘storytelling-song writers’. Different than most singer-songwriters, this dynamic duo embellishes their songs with a host of unique instruments from the hills they call home. Many of these were hand-made by old-timers and have amazing stories that go with them. Their 'low tech' Power Point has become a trademark of shows. Every song has a photo quilt to go with it. A picture is worth a 1,000 words.
Barefoot Ball
Chucky Waggs & His Company of Raggs
Ponder the Albatross
The Auditorium Lower Lovel
Thursday, September 3rd, 7:00 pm
Get your dancing shoes or keep them off for the Barefoot Ball! This year, Chucky Waggs & His Company of Raggs and Ponder the Albatross will be bringing the tunes!
Chucky Waggs is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and recording artist based in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, known for his energetic one-man-band performances using guitar, banjo, dobro, harmonica, and even a makeshift foot-powered drum kit. Rooted in early American blues, folk, country, and bluegrass—alongside punk and rock influences—his music ranges from intimate, often humorous ballads to rowdy, high-energy stomp-alongs, frequently joined by his backing group, the “Company of Raggs.”
Ponder the Albatross is a high-energy band where gypsy punk, jam, and newgrass collide, driven by Josh Bower’s mandolin, guitar, and vocals, Luke Lindholm’s fiery fiddle, Eric Vrtis’ rolling bass, and Nick Bower’s dynamic drumming. Formed in 2015, the group has built its reputation on the road, performing across the U.S. and the Rocky Mountains with electrifying shows that pull audiences into an immersive, participatory experience. Their sound blends upbeat rock and grass influences with a free-spirited, wanderlust-driven ethos, channeling the essence of mountain life and the natural world into music that feels both adventurous and deeply rooted.
Ozark Folk Festival
Friday, September 4th
Steve Poltz & Rainbow Girls
The Auditorium
Friday, September 4th, 7:00pm
Steve Poltz is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter and founding member of the Rugburns, known for blending mischief, heart, and off-the-cuff poetry into his music. Based in East Nashville and constantly on tour, he rarely slows down long enough for the studio—making JoyRide, his 14th solo album, something of a happy accident sparked by a neighborly nudge from producer Dex Green. The record captures Poltz in his natural state: unfiltered, spontaneous, and gloriously chaotic, with songs that swing from absurdist humor to heartfelt reflection.
Rainbow Girls are an eclectic folk trio hailing from the golden countryside just north of California’s Bay Area. Vanessa May, Erin Chapin, and Caitlin Gowdey seamlessly combine soul-touching harmonies, varied instrumentals, and poignant lyrical content into a beautiful sonic tapestry. Throughout their performance, voices are paired with an ever-changing amalgamation of acoustic and slide guitar, keys, upright bass, harmonica, and an array of vocal techniques, creating an engaging and often emotionally moving live show.
- Moab Folk Festival
Steve Poltz is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter and founding member of the Rugburns, known for blending mischief, heart, and off-the-cuff poetry into his music. Based in East Nashville and constantly on tour, he rarely slows down long enough for the studio—making JoyRide, his 14th solo album, something of a happy accident sparked by a neighborly nudge from producer Dex Green. The record captures Poltz in his natural state: unfiltered, spontaneous, and gloriously chaotic, with songs that swing from absurdist humor to heartfelt reflection.
Rainbow Girls are an eclectic folk trio hailing from the golden countryside just north of California’s Bay Area. Vanessa May, Erin Chapin, and Caitlin Gowdey seamlessly combine soul-touching harmonies, varied instrumentals, and poignant lyrical content into a beautiful sonic tapestry. Throughout their performance, voices are paired with an ever-changing amalgamation of acoustic and slide guitar, keys, upright bass, harmonica, and an array of vocal techniques, creating an engaging and often emotionally moving live show.
- Moab Folk Festival
Jesse Dean
Basin Spring Park
Friday, September 4th, 10:00 am
Jesse Dean was born and raised in a green, rocky hollow a few miles from Winslow, Arkansas, in a house with a piano for every room, walls hung with guitars and banjos, and a tin roof for rainy-day percussion. His skill as a musician is homegrown. Jesse Dean’s edgy blues-rock originals showcase soulful bass lines, muscular lead and rhythm guitar, vibrating riffs, and sultry jams.
Mountain Gypsies
Basin Spring Park
Friday, September 4th, 11:00 am
Originating from the Boston Mountains, the unbreakable harmonies and seamless musicianship of the Mountain Gypsies have captivated audiences everywhere. With devout followers on social media, this trio yearns to show you their love of music. The key to the Gypsies is their ability to interweave past and present, hard knock mountain soul to pop polish, taking you to a different stratosphere with a fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and stand-up bass. Be sure to give a shoutout to this friendly, down to earth family of musicians who look forward to seeing you at every performance!
Mountain Alice
Basin Spring Park
Friday, September 4th, 12:30 pm
Mountain Alice, Alice Jorris, who fronts the band with her pure and strong vocals, hails from Iowa. She moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, three years ago to pursue a music career after being exposed to bluegrass music through the Iowa hippie jam band scene. Her strong, big presence and pure vocals draw influence from the likes of Carole King, Patty Loveless, and Allison Krauss.
.png)
Songwriting Finalist Showcase
Basin Spring Park
Friday, September 4th, 2:00 pm
Join the 6 finalists from the Ozark Folk Festival Songwriting contest as they perform their original songs. Winners will be announced at 3:30 pm.
.jpg)
Shandies
Basin Spring Park
Friday, September 4th, 3:45 pm
The Shandies are Shannon Stine (vocals/guitar) and Natalie Wlodarczyk (vocals/guitar), a married folk duo based in Springfield, Missouri. They deliver intimate, harmony-rich performances shaped by a decade of performing and traveling together, with easy stage banter that leaves new audiences feeling like they’ve known them for years. Marked by their signature “fresh-squeezed harmony,” their sound lives in a story-forward space inspired by artists like the Indigo Girls and Brandi Carlile—songs that feel personal, a little playful, and best experienced in a room where people are truly listening, but can hold their own on a festival stage.
w.jpg)
Patti Steel
Basin Spring Park
Friday, September 4th, 5:00 pm
Patti Steel is a versatile multi-instrumentalist and vocalist whose performances have been described as “soulful, fearless, and deeply human.” Blending roots, jazz, blues, country, and soul, she creates a sound that is both timeless and distinctly her own, grounded in emotional honesty and dynamic musicianship. Since launching her solo career in 2020, she has built a strong presence as a live performer across the Midwest and beyond, captivating audiences with her expressive voice and skill on guitar, mandolin, and other stringed instruments. Her songwriting explores resilience, connection, and lived experience, while her work as a collaborator, session musician, and educator reflects a deep commitment to craft, community, and the ongoing evolution of her artistry.
Saturday, September 5th
Ozark Folk Festival
James McMurtry
The Auditorium
Saturday, September 5th 7:30 pm
Acclaimed singer-songwriter James McMurtry brings his sharp storytelling and road-tested sound to the stage in support of his latest release, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy. His first album in four years, the Don Dixon–co-produced record builds on the critical success of The Horses and the Hounds, further cementing McMurtry’s reputation as one of America’s most incisive lyricists. Drawing inspiration from fragments of family history and richly imagined characters, his songs balance humor and heartbreak with vivid detail and understated grit. Backed by his longtime band and joined on the record by collaborators like Sarah Jarosz and Charlie Sexton, McMurtry delivers performances that feel both spontaneous and masterfully crafted—reminding audiences why his work continues to influence a new generation of songwriters.
James McMurtry
The Auditorium
Saturday, September 5th 7:30 pm
James McMurtry & The Martial Law Review
Beat Root Revival
The Auditorium
Saturday, September 5th 7:30 pm
Acclaimed singer-songwriter James McMurtry brings his sharp storytelling and road-tested sound to the stage in support of his latest release, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy. His first album in four years, the Don Dixon–co-produced record builds on the critical success of The Horses and the Hounds, further cementing McMurtry’s reputation as one of America’s most incisive lyricists. Drawing inspiration from fragments of family history and richly imagined characters, his songs balance humor and heartbreak with vivid detail and understated grit. Backed by his longtime band and joined on the record by collaborators like Sarah Jarosz and Charlie Sexton, McMurtry delivers performances that feel both spontaneous and masterfully crafted—reminding audiences why his work continues to influence a new generation of songwriters.
BEAT ROOT REVIVAL is a multi-instrumentalist roots duo, combining elements of Folk, Blues, Country, and rock ' n ' roll to create a melodic sound, made up of powerhouse harmonic vocalists Andrea Magee and Ben Jones.
Originally from England and Ireland, Ben Jones and Andrea Magee came to the USA 4 years ago, like their ancestors before them, looking for a new life and to share their music far and wide. With just a guitar, a bodhran, and a hunger in their harmonies and songs, Austin, Texas became their adopted home, and they have developed an ever-growing fan base, gigging regularly while writing prolifically.
March to August
Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 5th 11:00 am
March to August is an Americana-Roots duo with melodies that merge influences of Folk, Americana, Bluegrass, and Celtic music and lyrics that capture the essence of the human experience. With every song, they offer poignant snapshots of life’s diverse emotions and stories, inviting listeners to reflect on the moments that shape us all. Hailing from diverse musical backgrounds, Derrick and Jodi Mears bring a plethora of influences to their work. Their lyrics often empower the voices of those silenced by circumstance, allowing each character’s narrative to be heard, while their instrumentation draws listeners into those tales with their unique Ozark Mountain sound.
March to August
Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 5th 11:00 am
March to August is an Americana-Roots duo with melodies that merge influences of Folk, Americana, Bluegrass, and Celtic music and lyrics that capture the essence of the human experience. With every song, they offer poignant snapshots of life’s diverse emotions and stories, inviting listeners to reflect on the moments that shape us all. Hailing from diverse musical backgrounds, Derrick and Jodi Mears bring a plethora of influences to their work. Their lyrics often empower the voices of those silenced by circumstance, allowing each character’s narrative to be heard, while their instrumentation draws listeners into those tales with their unique Ozark Mountain sound.
Sophia Clark
Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 5th, 12:30pm
Sophia Clark, a Eureka Favorite, has been performing in various groups around the area for years. Now Sophia has stepped out on her own, honing her songwriting and playing. You’re going to love her country/folk sound and passionate voice when she takes the stage.
.jpg)
Folk Percussion Class
Lower Level Aud
Saturday, September 5th 1:45 pm
This workshop is all about keeping the beat with traditional percussive instruments.
The Creek Rocks
Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 5th, 3:30 pm
The Creek Rocks are a folk group from the Ozarks led by banjoist Cindy Woolf and guitarist Mark Bilyeu. These longtime musical collaborators worked together on Cindy's three albums of original songs starting in 2005. They married in 2013, then established The Creek Rocks in 2015. Mark is a founding member of the Ozarks family band Big Smith, with whom he toured and recorded for sixteen years. Woolf is well-known for her singular singing voice and enchanting performances of her original songs, Bilyeu for his distinct guitar sound and clever turn of phrase. Together they perform a mix of Ozark-inspired original songs and truly unique arrangements of traditional Ozark folksongs, from the fun and frivolous anthems of the hills to the hair-raising and harrowing ballads of the dark holler.
The Creek Rocks
Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 5th, 3:30 pm
Ozark Dance Workshop
Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 5th, 5:00 pm
Led by Steve Green, you’ll enjoy learning the tradition of this freestyle dance of the Ozarks and the Appalachian Mountains. You will also learn to accompany Old Time music with spoons and bones, as well as simple hambone (body percussion). The instructor, Steve Green, is a percussionist, clogger, flatfoot & buck dancer, and Old Time Square Dance caller, as well as a National Buck (Jig) Dancing champion. He has taught jig dance and called square dances across the US as well as in England, Scotland, and Ireland. His classes emphasize the fun, and we will make a joyful noise! This workshop is for all ages and abilities.
Community Old Timey Dance with The Old 78s
Basin Spring Park
Saturday, September 5th, 5:00 pm
This is an Old Time Barn Dance, Folk Fest style! What is a barn dance? Think street dance meets Old Time Square Dance! All are welcome to join in on square dances, couple dances, waltzes, and Two Steps. These dances are part of the Ozark heritage and have remained popular with the young at heart to the present because they are fun! Steve Green will be the caller, which means he will be teaching, prompting, and generally making sure that everyone has a great time dancing to the music of “The Old 78’s”. He is a sought-after dance caller and calls over 50 dances annually around the US. All the dances will be taught and require no experience. All you need is to be ready to have fun with old and new friends at the Folk Fest Community Square Dance!
The Old 78s, founded by Curly Miller (RIP) and Carole Anne Rose in the late 1980s, and joined by Ray Palmer (PalmerViolins.com), Mel Palmer, and Sara (Miller) White, have followed in the tradition of the great fiddle bands of the 1920s and 1930s. This band is known for their high-energy dance tunes and unique Fiddle/Banjo combinations featuring Ray on Fiddle and Banjo Mandolin, Mel on Bari Sax and Cello Banjo, Sara on Fiddle and Banjo Ukulele, and Carole Anne on a custom-designed, 6-string hybrid 1893 Stewart Banjeaurine.
Ozark Folk Festival
Sunday, September 6th
.jpg)
Carolina Mendoza
Basin Spring Park
Sunday, September 6th, 12:00 pm
Every so often, a voice drifts out of the Ozark hills that feels like it’s been here forever — gentle as the river, strong as the pines, and full of stories that never fade. That’s Carolina Mendoza.
Born to Mexican Parents, a traveler rooted deep in the Ozark soil, Carolina blends the spirit of old-time Ozark folk with her own poetic soul. Her songs flow like front-porch prayers — a little gospel, a little wildwood, and a whole lot of heart. Whether she’s strumming under the stars at any number of summertime festivals or sharing her gift at Chelsea's , Carolina carries that timeless mountain magic everywhere she plays. Her sound sits somewhere between a hymn and a holler — simple, honest, and alive. Each song is a story, each note a reminder that music doesn’t just fill the air… it fills the spirit. Come enjoy the Simple ways of life, where the giants have fallen and the fire is bright.
Red Dirt Rangers
Basin Spring Park
Sunday, September 6th, 1:30 pm
Red Dirt Rangers have carried the Red Dirt music tradition since 1988, emerging from a communal Stillwater home called “The Farm,” where members Ben Han, John Cooper, and Brad Piccolo developed their sound alongside artists like Bob Childers and Jimmy LaFave. Blending Americana, rock, and folk influences inspired by Woody Guthrie and Bob Wills, they helped define the genre while mentoring younger acts. After overcoming a near-fatal 2004 helicopter crash, they continued performing, recording, and giving back through the Red Dirt Relief Fund, earning induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2017 and remaining a staple live band today.
Matt Axton and Bad Moon
Basin Spring Park
Sunday, September 6th, 3:30 pm
Matt Axton is a gifted singer/songwriter. Granted, that’s a claim made by many artists that inhabit the world of Americana these days, but in Matt’s case, it’s more than a mere boast. The ability to make music is firmly infused in his genes, courtesy of a family history that implanted that ability in him early on.