RISON - In a continuing effort to revitalize the Pioneer Crafts Festival, event organizers are bringing in more craft vendors and some homesteading sessions to help supplement the free event that will be held Friday and Saturday, April 10-11, at the Pioneer Village in Rison.
The Annual Beans & Greens Supper will kick off the weekend at 5 p.m. Friday, April 10. In addition to the beans and greens meal, there will also be some live local music offered by the Hwy. 15 Volunteer Fire Department Pickers and Grinners, a group of local musicians who meet on a regular basis for impromptu jam sessions.
The festival itself will be held Saturday, April 11, beginning at 9 a.m. with craft vendors, demonstrations, homesteading sessions, barbeque and more.
Marty Bowlin, president of the Pioneer Village, said they have made a concerted effort to recruit more craft vendors to the festival. More than 20 vendos offering everything from wood and leather crafts to specialty foods have signed up so far.
Bowlin said the festival is still accepting vendors, especially from those who make their own product. To learn more or to sign up, contact Bowlin at (870) 540-7545 or visit www.clevelandcountyarkansas.com/pioneervillage
The festival is also seeking additional demonstrators, especially those can share old-time skills.
The festival committee also reached out to Britt Talent, the founder of the Arkansas Homesteading Conference that started at the Pioneer Village, about incorporating some homesteading sessions and demonstrations to the Saturday festival.
Talent said they have sessions lined up on how to make soap; converting herbs into tinctures, teas and salves; building air-pruning raised beds; tanning hides; homesteading projects and more.
The Cleveland County 4-H Blacksmith Club will also be on hand doing demonstrations.
The historic buildings at the Pioneer Village will also be open for visitors, and the Cleveland County Historical Society will be conducting a genealogy workshop on how to trace your ancestors.
In addition, there will be a special dedication ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Saturday for the new Liberty Tree that was planted at the Pioneer Village in honor of country music legend and Cleveland County native Johnny Cash. The Liberty Tree is a special project of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution to recognizes the original Liberty Tree in Boston that became of rallying point for the growing resistance against British rule that sparked the American Revolution.
The tree is being dedicated in Johnny Cash’s memory since he donated the proceeds from his 1976 Bicentennial concert at Rison to help the Historical Society establish the Pioneer Village.
Here is a list vendors who so far have signed up to be at the Pioneer Crafts Festival:
• Lana Jane Creations with wreaths, stained glass and 3D prints.
• Paper Pie with books, toys and puzzles.
• Roger Snover with wooden cars, teucks, planes, helicopters, trains, rubber band guns, plus other wooden items like coat hooks and key racks.
• Mrs. Pearl’s Snackables with pretzel mixes, fire crackers, cake pops and more.
• Sky Soda with specialty sodas, waters and energy drinks.
• Strings-N-Things with handmade crochet items and pottery.
• That Busy Chickadee with crafts, up-cycled clothing, homemade tallow products and more.
• S&R Bazaar with leather and wood work, necklaces, bracelets, tumblers, t-shirts and more.
• Sugar Pearls and Denim Girls with handmade bowl coozies, kitchen items and gift baskets.
• Sarah’s Bakehouse with Brownies, cookies, mini cakes, cinnamon rolls and more.
• Carmel’s Tupperware with all new kitchen essentials.
• Hand in Hand Creations with RADA Cutlery, Juanita’s Kitchen candy and homemade items.
• Fluffy Cow Bakery with baked goods and decorated cakes.
• Aunt B’s Coffee with coffees, teas, lemonades, hot chocolates and dirty sodas.
• Popcorn and More with cotton candy and popcorn.