Mississippi Hills Folklife & Craft Days to be at Museum Nov. 7-9
Mississippi Hills Folklife & Craft Days at the Union County Heritage Museum this year features heritage crafters, hands-on activities for families and much more. This year’s date is Nov. 7, 8 & 9, 2024. This is an annual event that has been a part of the museum in New Albany for more than 20 years.
Kim Gentry will demonstrate folk dances
Three days of fun celebrating the rural heritage of our region will include heritage crafters, educational and fun opportunities for visitors and a chance to make and take things, said Jill Smith, Museum Director.
Broom maker Jack Martin will be one of this year’s heritage crafters. The Selmer, TN man is the third-generation broom maker from Hockaday Brooms. He will demonstrate and sell his handmade brooms. The Story of Hockaday Handmade Brooms began in the early 1860’s when Jack Martin’s Great-Great Grandfather Wick Hockaday (on left) moved the family from the Carolina’s to Tennessee and settled on a farm in Selmer, Tennessee in hopes of a better life
Jamie VanOekel will demonstrate basket making.
Basket maker Jamie VanOekel from Booneville will be demonstrating basket making. VanOekel said that she was influenced early by two grandmothers who were “hands on” sewing, quilting, gardening, cooking, etc. As a result, she has always had a curiosity about making, no matter the medium. She is currently a member of the Tidewater Basket Guild, Tennessee Basket Association, and the National Basketry Organization. She has taught in Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri and Wisconsin and looks forward to introducing more people in North Mississippi to the fun of basket weaving.
Other heritage crafters include Michael Megelsh, professor of history at Blue Mountain college. Jeanette Stone, textile artist from Potts Camp who uses natural dyes and fibers in her work. Peaceful Creek Farm will demonstrate making goat milk soap.
Mark Maharrey will discuss and play folk music
Dancer Kim Gentry will demonstrate clogging, flatfooting and other folk dances. Banjo player Mark Maharrey will play the banjo as well as talk about the folk music of Appalachia. Dulcimer players from local groups will be performing.
Saturday will host contests for youth in cross cut sawing, egg and spoon races, and many more. They will start at 10 a.m. There will also be an opportunity to purchase lunch country food style – beans, greens and cornbread from 11 – 1 p.m.
Textile Artist Jeanette Stone
Museum volunteers will work in the country store, churning butter, in the garden and Dr. Pennebaker’s Office. The Union County Piece makers will demonstrate quilting Members of the William Faulkner Knitting Club will demonstrate other textile areas. Two River Traders will be back this year with their sutlery goods. There will be storytellers and yarn spinners.
“We have a great group of volunteers who help us with this event. We could not do this without them,” Smith said. The Museum Guild is always a great help with this. Thanks to our great Community Partners, this is a free event.
“We had to move the date back this year because of fall break, and we have an interesting family event planned, “Smith said. Thursday the event will begin at 9 and end at noon and this day is for special needs classes as well as others. Friday has school classes scheduled from 8:30 until 2, generally for second through fourth grades. Saturday is family day beginning at 9 and ending at 2.
For more information contact the museum at 662-538-0014 or uchm@ucheritagemuseum.com. The museum is located at 114 Cleveland St., New Albany, MS 38652. There is also information on the museum’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
This event is supported by grants from Visit Mississippi and the Mississippi Arts Commission.
Jill Smith, Director
Union County Heritage Museum
114 Cleveland Street
New Albany, MS 38652
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