Craft show added to music supporting community center
The annual Kings Prairie music festival, the fundraiser for the rural community east of Monett, will expand this year for activities on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Begun in 2000 and founded by Branson performer Albert Brumley Jr., the music festival has been a one-night event to raise funds supporting the historic Kings Prairie school, built in 1948, as a community center. The musical focus has been on old-time music by string bands and gospel groups, initially performed by artists who played live on regional radio stations into the 1960s. This year’s headliner will be Pierce City songwriter and performer Mark Chapman.
According to organizers, this year’s event will expand into a daylong craft show with concessions available plus five hours of live music, beginning at 3 p.m. All activities will take place on the scenic grounds of the school at 11760 Farm Road 2015 in Barry County, south of Highway 60. The school is located off Highway Z, a quarter mile west of the New Liberty Church.
The craft show will start at 10 a.m. with a variety of vendors. Space is still available. Interested persons may contact Jacquetta Hyde at 417-489-0068 or Jaysa Isbell at 417-8491779 or isbell@mo-net. com.
A silent auction and raffle will be held throughout the day offering prizes donated by local merchants.
The lunch menu will offer barbecue pork sandwiches and nachos. Serving for the dinner menu will begin at 4 p.m. and include a half chicken or barbecue sandwich combo with beans and coleslaw sides, with cowboy nachos available, along with desserts.
During the craft show, entertainment will include local gospel singer Carolyn Hutchens, the local ensemble Red Bandana Dulcimers and more. Performers scheduled to play for the official concert include the gospel duo Johnny and Lenora at 3 p.m., soft jazz specialists Robin’s Hood with Monett chanteuse Robin Braun at 4 p.m., the popular Cassville band the Flyin’ Buzzards with folk and 1960s favorites at 5 p.m., the Good Shepherd Pickers from Arkansas at 6 p.m., and Mark Chapman at 7 p.m. Chapman performed at the 2023 July Fourth festivities in Monett and the July First on Front concert in downtown Monett.
The event is sponsored by the Kings Prairies Community Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the historic Kings Prairie school. According to organizer Jacquetta Hyde, funds raised this year will be used to begin restoration on the exterior of the schoolhouse.
