53rd Appalachian Festival: Celebrate Cincinnati's Mother's Day tradition

Cincinnati, Ohio - The Appalachian Festival is Cincinnati's Mother's Day weekend tradition. For the love of the mountains, we are transforming Coney Island along the scenic Ohio River into an authentic pioneer village celebrating the area's rich Appalachian heritage.

The Appalachian Festival will take place on Mother's Day Weekend, May 11 and 12, 2024. Our festival hours are Saturday, May 11th - 10:00 am - 9:30 pm; Sunday, May 12th - 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. The Appalachian Festival is held at Coney Island Park, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45230.

Step back in time as you wander through the mountain village, where you can experience what life was like in the Appalachian Mountains. As you stroll along the Ohio River the walkways will be lined with artisan shops, mouthwatering food, dancing, storytelling, and Pickin' Porches. This year we're featuring mountain music on two stages, with some of the greatest local bluegrass bands, including: Ron Thomason and Dry Branch Fire Squad, Danny Burton and The Thunderbirds, Cecil Jackson and Dry Ridge, Sammy Adkins and Sandy Hook Mountain Boys, Wayfarers, Vernon McIntyre and Appalachian Grass, Forest Hills Bluegrass Band, Red Idle Rejects........... and many regional favorites!

Storytelling is ingrained in our Appalachian culture. So deeply rooted you might even say it's the cornerstone of the entire cultural foundation. Stephen "Doc" Hollen will be meandering around the Appalachian Festival this year to celebrate his 25 years at the festival. He'll host our storytellers at his "Wagon Twain" portable storytelling stage, Front Porch Storytelling with Omope Carter Daboiku on Saturday, and Hanna Sue Cooper around all weekend telling you about Appalachian remedies while telling you some great stories. Back by popular demand, Old Coots Free Advice, Stephen and Paul Ingram will be giving free advice (not necessarily good advice, just free) at the Old Coots Free Advice tent. Better yet, look for Doc wandering around, selling Snake Oil and other dubious concoctions that will tickle your funny bone if not heal your maladies.

Our local dance troupes will be performing a variety of energetic clogging and line dances on our dance stage all weekend long. No experience is necessary while you dance the night away at the Saturday night Fun Dance which we're excited to bring back to our Dance tent this year.

Share in the powerful rhythm and deep resonance of the drum as our Native American dancers share their culture and music with us. We are excited to have two featured drums this year, Southern Singers and Okandada. Take time to learn how life was with our demonstrators while they show you their trade in tin smithing, blacksmithing, mountain distilling, broom making, soap-making, spinning, and more.

Round out your weekend on Sunday morning in worship with a Mountain Church Service for our guests and campers back in our living history area. (10:30 am at the Native American Dance Circle) Bring your family and friends to Coney Island for a knee slapping good time Mother's Day weekend outing! Fun for the whole family! All proceeds go to grants that give back to Appalachian communities.

URLs:
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/2364292-0?pid=176 
Facebook: https://go.evvnt.com/2364292-2?pid=176 

Time: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Prices:
General Admission: USD 15.00,
Senior: USD 10.00,
Children under 5: USD 0.00,
Children 5-17: USD 5.00

Artists : Ron Thomason and Dry Branch Fire Squad, Danny Burton and The Thunderbirds, Cecil Jackson and Dry Ridge, Sammy Adkins and Sandy Hook Mountain Boys, Wayfarers, Vernon McIntyre and Appalachian Grass, Forest Hills Bluegrass Band, Red Idle Rejects, Snake Oil Salesman Stephen "Doc" Hollen, Hanna Sue Cooper, Southern Singers, Okandada, Cincy Highland Dancers, Kentucky Bluegrass Cloggers , Showboat Cloggers, Country Steps Cloggers