America’s spirit of frontier ingenuity and adventure fills the streets of Silver Dollar City as the 1880s-style theme park features craftsmanship, cowboys, chuck wagon cooking and Native American artistry for The National Crafts & Cowboy Festival, September 12 to October 27.
NEW this year, the Cherokee Indian Trading Post presents Native American artisans demonstrating heritage crafts such as flute making, pottery and bow making, along with cooking demonstrations of Cherokee recipes, throughout September. Featured artists include flute crafter and award-winning performer Tommy Wildcat, pottery maker Lisa Rutherford, and bow crafter Richard Fields, all named Cherokee National Treasure artists.
More than 125 visiting craftsmen, including Best of Missouri Hands juried artists, will join Silver Dollar City’s 100 traditional craftsmen, with crafts including clock making, weaving, copper color art, fiddle making, basket weaving, gourd painting and jewelry making. Watercolor artist and Gunsmoke star Buck Taylor displays his and other artists’ work in Buck Taylor’s Cowboy Emporium, with western art including leather crafting, antler baskets, horseshoe art, moccasin crafting and turkey feather painting.
Final chances to see the Wild West Show begin September 12, as the popular western production features 9-time World Champion Native American Hoop Dancer Nakotah LaRance, trick riders, performing canines and sharpshooting champion Kala Howard, who fires at targets while riding horseback. The Wild West Show, hosted by trick roper and bullwhip artist A.J. Silver, runs through October 14.
Authentic Chuck Wagon Chef Kent Rollins returns in October with his famous Food Network-featured cowboy cuisine, giving daily demonstrations of authentic chuck wagon cooking. NEW is “An Evening on the Trail with Kent & Buck,” a special ticketed event for dinner, cowboy stories and humor with Buck Taylor and Kent Rollins in the Culinary & Craft School, Friday evenings in October. The event includes a full-course steak dinner and cookbook.
Featured music acts include The Western Flyers, Western Music Association 7-time Female Performer of the Year Belinda Gail, Syd Masters & The Swing Riders, The Home Rangers, Vocal Union and The Willis Clan. The Western Barn Dance returns, giving all guests a chance to dance to a live band.
Silver Dollar City is open Wednesdays through Sundays, September 12 – October 27, for The National Crafts & Cowboy Festival, which has been profiled by U.S. News & World Report Travel as one of the nation’s top 8 Fall Harvest Festivals, and as Travel & Leisure’s pick for Best Fall Festival in Every State.
Information: 800-831-4FUN (4386) or www.silverdollarcity.com
