Once again I ask, does anyone know any more about this Festival?
I heard about it early this year, and followed up by faxing an
organiser in the Czech Republic. He has replied today thus:
1.09 The International Folk Festival WORLD FEST in the
SILVER DOLLAR CITY area in Branson, Missouri, USA, with an
extremely rich international participation (folk music,
dances, songs, traditional crafts) takes place yearly. In
the next year it will be organized in April, 7 through
May, 9, B499, i. e. for five weeks. All Mondays and
Tuesdays are closing days. The goal of this Festival is to
introduce to the visitors (more than 16 000 people come
daily to the SDC area) how the people in different
countries of the world lived and worked more than 100 years
ago. That’s why only traditional arts and crafts are
welcome.
Since 1992, different Folklore or Music Groups as well as
craftspeople from the Czech Republic and from other
European countries as well were involved every year very
successfully into this Festival, delgated thereto through
my P.R.AGENCY - Arts & Crafts. I was there personally three
times already - it is a fantastic experience ! Since 1990,
I work close together with my excellent friend Mr. Rex
Burdette, the SDC Special Events Director, as his special
representative for Europe - and now hopefully even for New
Zealand, too !
I’m trying to ascertain what sort of event this Festival is. How
is it regarded by any of you who may have participated before?
Can anyone comment, Please?
Brian
B r i a n A0 A d a m J e w e l l e r y E y e w e a r
@Brian_Adam1 ph/fx +64 9 817 6816 NEW ZEALAND
hi, I can tell you a little about Branson…but have never heard
of the World Fest and it is not listed in any of my sources.
Branson is a kind of new Nashville, a country music tourism town.
O.K. I am sure alot of people would say there is alot more there
than that but it’s the basis of the town. Busloads of tourists,
mainly country themed dinner/music theatres and concert halls
owned or sponsored by music stars. A friend of mine claimed when
he was there a couple of artists told him they make a great
living there…he has very commercial taste…and I got the idea
that was the kind of work he was talking about.
A huge chunk of the 40 and over middle class crowd from my area
of the midwest has gone, don’t know how much they spend on fine
art however…
Since nobody else has given you the scoop I thought any info
might help.
Karen
@karenworks1
I'm trying to ascertain what sort of event this Festival
is. How is it regarded by any of you who may have participated
before? Can anyone comment, Please?
Brian, I lived in Missouri about 20 years and had spent much time
in the Ozarks around Branson long before Branson became a
bustling tourist destination, but I have never participated in
the Silver Dollar City Festival. It is set up as an “old time”
community where visitors may see the “residents” of the community
going about their activities as practiced many years ago. Hence,
there are candle - makers, spinners and weavers, blacksmiths,
bakers, silversmiths, furniture makers, cobblers, or whatever,
who are working at their trade. The visitors can see first hand
how people years ago made the things they needed. The Ozarks
region has promoted their crafts for many years. Decades ago it
was common to drive through the area and see signs in front of
many homes where people were hoping to make a little money from
the things they made. (Some still sell their things this way)
Tourists enjoyed the “homemade” and “old-fashioned” crafts they
found there. Now there are stores and shops throughout the area.
Silver Dollar City has been there probably 20 years or more.
Pam Chott
In sunny (but cool) Mesa, AZ
Thanks Karen I’m getting some replies from Artmetal too. Same
sort of response. I might go to New Orleans, or visit some
Orchidiers and Artmetallers instead!
Brian
B r i a n =A0 A d a m J e w e l l e r y E y e w e a r =A0
@Brian_Adam1 ph/fx +64 9 817 6816 NEW ZEALAND
http://www.adam.co.nz/2.htm ‘Kids in Specs’