(COLUMBIA, MO) -
The 40th Annual Heritage Festival and Craft Show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 16-17 at the historic Nifong Park, 3700 Ponderosa St. Organized by Columbia Parks and Recreation, this free festival features traditional and roots entertainment on three stages and a handmade craft show. Reenactors, artisans and tradesmen dressed in 19th century attire will demonstrate their "lost" trades and sell their wares.
Other features of this year's Heritage Festival include a cowboy camp and an expanded mountain man camp. Families will be able to ride on a hayride around the park and try out traditional crafts and games in the "Fun For Young'uns" area.
Live entertainment will include a variety of musical genres, including German, Celtic, blues, Cajun, folk, western and Irish. Traditional storytellers, magicians and the festival favorite Haskell Indian Nations Dancers will return to the Heritage Festival this year, as will blues musician Lem Sheppard, the Kansas City Celtic Pipe and Drum Corps and the World African Arts dancers.
The Boone County Historical Society will participate in the Heritage Festival, by opening three historic structures at the Village at Boone Junction and the historic Maplewood Home to visitors. The Walters-Boone Museum will also be open and is admission-free. Hundreds of items are on display in addition to featured exhibits. Blind Boone's 1891 custom-made grand piano and an art exhibit can be found in the Montminy Art Gallery.
The Heritage Festival is coordinated by Columbia Parks and Recreation and sponsored by Columbia Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Development Program, KPLA 101.5, KFRU 1400, the Missouri Arts Council, Missouri Life magazine & Columbia Daily Tribune.
For more information on the Heritage Festival, visit www.CoMo.gov (search Heritage Festival) or call Columbia Parks and Recreation at 573-874-7460.
56°F