It’s official. The Smithsonian Institution announced dates for the 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. The annual event, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., will be held June 28 through July 9.
The 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival will feature two programs:
The Missouri State University Libraries and other regional partners are working closely with the Smithsonian to develop the Ozarks program of the 2023 Festival. The event will bring Ozarks-based musicians, artisans, cooks, performers and others to the National Mall to celebrate and share their culture. Presented through 10 days of performances, workshops, demonstrations and other participatory experiences, the Ozarks program will highlight diverse populations from across the region, encompassing parts of Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Illinois.
The Ozarks program will focus on the following key themes:
- Celebrations and Gatherings
- Stories, Sounds, and Show Business
- Migrations, Movements, and Pathways
- Connections to Land and Place
For more information about the Ozarks program of the 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, including sponsorship opportunities, contact MSU Dean of Library Services Tom Peters. Dean Peters continues to share festival updates through his weekly newsletter, Library Notes. Subscribe to follow the region’s journey to the National Mall in 2023.