A celebration of America 250 Ozarks Style!
On Saturday, July 11th, from the 3 to 8 p.m., the Shiloh Museum’s sprawling campus is transforming into a festival of music, memory, and community.
Being an “Ozarker” is a tapestry woven from centuries of different stories, and we’re bringing them all together for the Ozarks 250 Block Party. Whether you’re a 5th-generation local or you just moved to the hills last week, this party is for you.
We will also debut our exhibits with an Ozark perspective on the nation’s 250th birthday with Our Changing Landscape.
Look for updates on social media with the hashtag #Ozarks250!
Join in the celebration while supporting Ozark history education! We are seeking sponsors and volunteers for the Ozarks 250 Block Party. To sponsor or volunteer, contact Shiloh’s Development and Volunteer Manager Lauren Husband by clicking here or by clicking the buttons below.
Music!
NICK SHOULDERS
7:15 p.m. Main Stage
Nick Shoulders is a Fayetteville-based country singer-songwriter, illustrator, and co-founder of Gar Hole Records known for his traditional Southern style and distinctive yodel. Raised in the Ouachita and Ozark foothills, he draws heavy inspiration from regional history and his ancestral roots.
Music Schedule
2:45 p.m.: National Anthem and welcome.
3 p.m.: Carolina Mendoza, an Arkansas Ozarks singer and songwriter whose music combine her traditional Mexican roots along with bluegrass, country, Nordic folk, and others.
4:30 p.m.: Larry B & Hazel, who will perform R&B classics that will get everbody moving!
6 p.m. Trio Las Hermanitas, an Arkansas Ozarks group whose music includes mariachi and classic rancheras.
Activities!
Woodworking and blacksmith demonstrations · Traditional craft artisan demonstrations and displays by Ozark Folkways · Traditional item displays by the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese · Hands-on fishing/casting demonstrations and other activities by J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center · Crystal Bridges Mobile Art Lab · Hmong Culture Club activities · Spring Creek activities by the Illinois River Watershed Partnership · Rag doll-making with the Rogers Historical Museum · Presentation and button-making with the Tontitown Historical Museum · Museum of Native American History · Arkansas Archeological Survey · University of Arkansas Museum · The Walmart Museum · Kids mini-train rides · Face Painting · Model train displays by Sugarcreek Model Railroad · Poet Noelia Cerna and her typewriter named Olivia · Club Bubble art and fun for all ages!
Presentations!
3:00 p.m.: Brooks Blevins: “What’s in a Name? Creating the Ozarks and Ozarks”
4:30 p.m.: Stephanie Carter: curator talk on Shiloh’s Ozarks 250 exhibit, Our Changing Landscape
4:45 p.m.: Crystal Arredondo (stay tuned for details!)
5:15 p.m.: Christopher Huggard: Unveiling Rock Van Winkle: Black Builder of Northwest Arkansas
6:00 p.m.: Brandon Weston: “Ozark Healing Traditions”
6:45 p.m.: Emily Pianalto-Beshears: “Tontitown and its Roots”
7:15 p.m.: Stephanie Carter: curator talk on Shiloh’s Ozarks 250 exhibit, Our Changing Landscape
Dancing!
Grupo Folklorico Quetzal · Chinese Association of NWA · Nkauj Hmoob Puavpheej (Gao-Mong-Pua-peng) · NWA Historic Dancers demonstration and teaching · Ocean Wave · Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation · Square dancing with Shiloh Old Time Pickers
Food Trucks!
Sombrero Azul (Salvadorian and Mexican food)
Icy Kids of NWA (Italian ice and lemonade)
Atomic Dog (hot dogs and German brats)
