Sixth annual Midwest Folk Festival comes to Bishop Hill August 5 - 6

BISHOP HILL, IL - The sixth annual Midwest Folk Festival makes its Illinois debut on Saturday, August 5 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the historic Henry County community of Bishop Hill.  This free annual outdoor event, which draws thousands of visitors each year, celebrates the diverse cultures and arts of the region and is alternatively hosted by Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois.

 

            More than 20 art forms and ten ethnic groups will be showcased during the event, which will be held at various locations in Bishop Hill.  The festival showcases music, dancing, crafts, instrument making and other activities from the Midwest.  Work created by many of the artists will be for sale, and a children's area will offer hands-on activities.  Demonstrations will occur both days, with plenty of opportunity for visitors to interact with the artists.  Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating.        

 

            Musical performances are scheduled by David Honeyboy Edwards and Rick Sherry, Chris Vallillo, Liz Carroll, Dennis Stroughmatt and Creole Stomp, Doug and Bonnie Miller, Yang Wei, and others.  Visitors may hear blues, Irish fiddling, dulcimer, Chinese Pipa, Persian Santour, Creole, Cambodian, and Bolero Romantico music.  Demonstrations will include river crafts, blacksmithing, weaving, quilting, Mojigangas, lace making, and rosemaling.

 

            This event is partially sponsored by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.  Also providing assistance is the Quincy Society of Fine Arts, the Wisconsin Arts Board and the Iowa Arts Council.  This event is also presented in cooperation with Bishop Hill State Historic Site and the Bishop Hill Arts Council.  For more Midwest Folk Festival information, call (309) 927-3899. 

 

            Bishop Hill State Historic Site is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov) and includes three buildings that are open daily for free public tours:  The Museum, including more than 90 Olof Krans paintings; the Colony Church; and the Bjorklund Hotel.  The entire Bishop Hill community today retains most of its original mid-1800s character.  Bishop Hill is located off of U.S. Route 34 just west of Galva, Illinois.