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The annual Spring Heritage Festival at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 3.

The center will host the “music makers” — skilled crafts people who create the musical instruments popular with fans of mountain music. These individuals will be on hand to demonstrate their craft, show samples of their work, and talk with visitors.
They include Lynn Dudenbostel, mandolin, from Knoxville; Howard Greene, violin, Louisville; Mike Clemmer, dulcimer, Townsend (10 a.m. to noon); and Johnny Rushing, guitar, New Market.

In addition, there will be historic demonstrations throughout the day, including a blacksmith, whittling, beekeeping, candle making, basket making, spinning, quilting, open hearth cooking, broom making and more.

An herb display will be presented by Honey Rock Herb Farm in Louisville. Children can enjoy historic games, pony rides and a petting zoo. Special entertainment will be provided by Sweet Sounds (dulcimers), Mountain Folk Reunion (folk), Lisa Free, Don Story (dulcimer), with storytelling by Faye Wooden.

Cades Cove Preservation Association members will present an “Armchair Tour of Cades Cove” (Allen Coggins) and “Mountain Medicine Women” (Gail Palmer.)
Wilson’s Homemade Ice Cream will be back on-site, and concessions for the spring festival are being provided by The Coffee House, Townsend.

The 2008 Spring Heritage Festival is presented by the Integrity Development Group Inc., and The Traces at Fox Ridge. The Daily Times is media sponsor for the event.
Admission is $3 for each person. Heritage Center members and children under 6 years of age are free. The event will be held rain or shine. A free shuttle provided by River Rat is available to take visitors from the Visitors Center to the Heritage Center.

The center is located between the traffic light and the Park entrance on Scenic Highway 73 in Townsend. For information, call 865-448-0044. The Web address is gsmhcevents@yahoo.com. The Web site is www.gsmheritagecenter.org.

Spring Heritage Festival schedule

Demonstrations

(Schedule and locations subject to change)

Baskets by Becky Weaver in Montvale Station Cabin

Beekeeping — Harry Bowie, small cantilever barn

Berry Baskets — Bill Alexander, Cardwell Cabin

Broom Making — Steve and Annie Bell, instructors, John C. Campbell Folk School, front porch

Candle Making — Deborah Bowie - Small Cantilever Barn

Children’s Historic Games (participation encouraged), front porch: Handkerchief dolls, Scotch and Hoops, Button Whizzers, Corn Cob Darts, Hopscotch, all day. Drop the Handkerchief (must have at least six children to play)

Herb Display — Honey Rock Herb Farm, just outside lobby, toward cabins

Music — Lisa Free (Mountain Music), Montvale Station, throughout day

Music — Don Story (dulcimer), front porch, 10 a.m.

Music Makers: Demonstrations on crafting musical instruments, large cantilever barn:

Dulcimer — Mike Clemmer (10 a.m.-noon)

Mandolin — Lynn Dudenbostel

Violin — Howard Greene

Guitar — Johnny Rushing

Open Hearth Cooking — Iva Wilde, Connie Keeble, Cardwell Cabin

Quilting by Foothills Quilting Guild, Montvale Station

Spinning — Lisa Free, Montvale Station

Whittling with Bill Henry, sawmill

Presentations & Performances

Times are approximate. All times and programs are subject to change. Additional programs may be added.

10 a.m. — Dulcimer Music with Don Story, front porch

10 a.m. — Armchair Tour of Cades Cove, Allen Coggins, auditorium

11:30 a.m. — Sweet Sounds, Dulcimers, front porch or auditorium (depending on weather)

1 p.m. — Mountain Folk Reunion, auditorium (two sets with break)

3 p.m. — Storytelling, Faye Wooden, auditorium

4 p.m. — Mountain Medicine Women, Gail Palmer, auditorium

Concessions by The Coffee House

Ice cream by Wilson’s Homemade Ice Cream