Musicians, artisans, storytellers and authors will be featured at a May 9 festival set beneath pines not far from the Current River, between Summersville and Salem.
Special this year is a Literary Jamboree, with 16 Ozark-centered authors offering books and stories.
The fifth annual Rendezvous on the Ridge, held at the Big Rock Candy Mountain campground in Jadwin, is free and open to the public. It features demonstrations, music, hands-on wood carving, mule jumping, food and craft vendors, storytelling and Ozark-based speakers.
The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with a corn-husk doll making class and a photography workshop. Bo Brown, author of Foraging the Ozarks, will lead a foraging walk at 10 a.m. At 11:30, Nancy Boswell’s talk will bring Laura Ingalls Wilder to life. Denise Henderson Vaughn will present “Fire in the Ozarks” at 4 p.m. Other performances include two dulcimer concerts by Echoes of Dogwood Mountain, bluegrass by The Shortleaf Band, and the Country Fire Cloggers from Elsinor.
The finale starts at 6 p.m. with a free concert by Dennis Stroughmatt and the L’Esprit Creole Band, whose music blends contemporary and Louisiana Cajun styles, as played in Potosi’s Ozarks foothills in decades past.
“We have some amazing authors coming to the Literary Jamboree,” said organizer Ruth Ruppel-Maxwell, with Ozark Riverways Foundation, the event host. “I’m excited to be able to bring this many writers together to share their books.”
Authors include:
– Eminence native Suzanne Rayfield McKenzie is author of “Blue and Gray Cross Current” a Civil War historical novel, and “Celia’s Blue Spring.” Both are set in her home area.
– Marsha Thauwald, author of mystery novels, has written a popular fictional series “Hidden Blessings in the Ozarks.”
– Children’s author Nicole Martin-Myers, inspired by the Ozarks beauty and simplicity of life, has written a “Quilt of the Earth” series.
– A mother of six living off-grid along Blair’s Creek, author Amanda Grace has published 15 titles covering everyday homesteading adventures plus western novels.
– Indie romance author Sarah K. Mason’s titles include “Hell of a Ride,” and “Caught in the Crossfire,” about an undercover cop who infiltrates a motorcycle club.
– Salem, Mo., native Titus Benton is author of four nonfiction titles and has recently published 65560, a murder mystery set in his home town.
– Mark Morgan, a retired MU professor, has published Ozark Outdoors, a compilation of natural history, early explorer journals, and folklore.
– Ozark wilderness guide and photographer Matt Ankney writes about history, folklore, and scenic nature, including his newly published “Spooklight on the Devil’s Elbow.”
– Geologist and poet Jo Schaper operates Paw Paw Poets Publishing, and has authored titles such as “Jack’s Fork Journal,” “Along Current River,” and “Alley Spring Diversions.”
– Eminence native Alan Banks’ passion for Ozark pre-history led to his book “Indians of Upper Current River.” He has two additional nonfiction titles and a mystery, all set in Shannon County.
– Ben Timson developed a lifelong love of the outdoors as a Shannon County youth, which influenced his book “Summers at Cedar Grove: the Rise and Fall of an Ozark Village.”
– Mark Van Patten’s book “Moonshine and Watermelons and other Ozark Tales” tells of colorful characters, boyhood shenanigans, and a city boy moving back to his roots.
“Come and meet these authors and take a peek at their books,” Ruppel-Maxwell said. “But that’s only one part of the festival. We have so many art booths, musicians, and hands-on activities that you’re sure to enjoy it all.”
Festival participants can get double value for making a trip to the area by also visiting the Centennial Old Mill Days festival at nearby Montauk State Park, held the same day.
Look for Rendezvous on the Ridge’s full schedule on the Ozark Riverways Foundation Facebook page, or it can be found at: www.ozarkriverwaysfoundation.org.
The foundation is a not-for-profit whose purpose is to support the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and to protect and promote the Current and Jacks Fork rivers. For more information, contact info@ozarkriverways.org or call 815-866-4419.
