Harvest Music Festival to draw thousands to Ozark region

story by Peter Lewis

In two weeks time, music lovers will again descend upon Mulberry Mountain in the scenic Ozark National Forest north of Ozark for Harvest Music Festival.

Though quietly older than its newer cousin festival, Wakarusa, the Harvest Music Festival will once again beckon lovers of Americana, jam, blues, country and rock music. With more than 65 live performances to see, there are a multitude of additional options on display over the four day festival (Aug. 12 – 15). From disc golf to scenic hiking, fishing, and camping, there is plenty to occupy both ear and body.

Dewey Patton, the founder of the Harvest Music Festival, expects more than 5,000 people to once again visit the normally quiet Ozark mountains. Though many will camp, there are also many who will opt for the creature comforts and patronize local hotels in the river valley instead.

Price packages range from basic festival and camping passes ($129/three day, $94/two day, $59/Saturday) to VIP Festival & Camping Passes ($325 for camping, catered dinner, private lounge amongst other perks) to even higher end camping packages.

Highlighting this expansive event are two iconic American groups, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

The former sprung out of Springfield, Mo., and onto the national scene in the mid 1970s with their two massive country rock hits, “If You Wanna Get to Heaven” (1974) and “Jackie Blue” (1975). The Daredevils will perform on the main stage at 7:45 p.m., Saturday night (Aug. 15).

While the former felt huge success early before shying from the spotlight, the latter’s path to iconic status was a bit lengthier. With a more folky version of the country rock sound, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band started as an informal jug band in Long Beach, Calif. From that loose, inauspicious start, the band floundered critically while gaining popularity as a novelty act before deciding to assert themselves as a country band. This decision, in early 1970, led to their first true critical success with the now infamous “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” album. It wasn’t, however, until the 1980s that NGDB’s true successes would be laid with chart topping tunes like “Dance Little Jean” and “Fishin’ in the Dark.”  Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will perform at 8:30 p.m., Friday night (Aug. 14).

Though these iconic bands will no doubt draw large crowds in their marquee slots, there are numerous other acts to visit during the festival. In addition to famous acts like swing music revivalists the Squirrel Nut Zippers and hard driving bluegrass influenced Avett Brothers, there are smaller local acts like the Pope County Bootleggers and traditional bluegrass outfit, 3 Penny Acre. No matter which bands you choose to reward with your presence, it is set to be a great weekend of music and more.

Link here for a complete list of bands performing.