Homegrown Ozarks Diversity: SOTO Fest ’18
HOLLISTER, MO — “You’re not dressed like David Bowie,” challenged the timid teenage girl standing before the big man swathed in black, bloody fur and green-and-white face paint. She then weathered the full brunt of this Ozarkian goblin king’s mock anger.
“David Bowie! He’s not the Goblin King. I am the Goblin King,” roared Clint Unruh of Willard, MO. He shouldered his sword and turned to those standing nearby to grumble, “Nobody wants to see me in tights.”
That was StateoftheOzarks Fest last September, an inaugural street festival hosted by the StateoftheOzarks.net online magazine and dedicated to celebrating the weird, wonderful and diverse element of the Ozark Mountains.
Editor-in-chief Joshua Heston explains, “Our mission statement is simple: to preserve and celebrate the Ozarks. I guide the narrative of the magazine just as I guide the narrative of the festival. We deal with history and traditional craftsmanship and our collective heritage. But celebrating the Ozarks gives us a lot of freedom. We specifically celebrate elements of today’s Ozarks that are culturally significant, whether that be cosplay [costumed play] or progressive fine arts or minority rights issues. Some people call it a delicate balance. Some question whether we can all ‘get along,’ but for us, it’s just called another day at the office.”
A number of festival attendees appeared initially surprised by the cultural mix presented in a small Ozark town last year. Hollister, located across Lake Taneycomo from Branson, Missouri, has a population just barely over 2,000. “You all at StateoftheOzarks really know how to let your freak flag fly,” shared Jane Ewing, owner of Number 10 Downing Salon. Hollister Police Department estimated the day crowd at over 5,000.
SOTO Fest ’18 is scheduled for 10AM to 6PM, Saturday, September 15. The festival will again span the town’s historic Downing Street.
“The sheer variety of local talent is awe-inspiring,” notes Michael Amburn of Harrison, Arkansas’ DruidCraft Props. “We had dancers, painters, goblins and fairies, carvers, singers, tellers of tall tales, Jedi and Sith, primitive survival skills, coffee, hand-made soap, and even some free-range, bearded kiltsmen.”
This year, event newcomers include Springfield, Missouri’s DragonFest Renaissance Faire hosted by Infinity Academy, an interactive Zombie Live Action Role Play (LARP) with Matthew Favazza’s team of dedicated LARPers, as well as the much quieter Taney County Lacemakers.
Ghost Busters of the Ozarks, Feast of the Goblin King, VisionCon and Caleb Scott’s strongmen will return.
“It’s an unlikely melting pot,” shares Scott, who will be lifting hundreds of pounds of iron and stone on the street that day. “The festival gives you an opportunity to leave the modern, hectic everyday and step into a world of wonder and craftsmanship.”
Artists include Beauty from Light (Christine Riutzel), Mary Arneson (Works of Whimsy), Michaela Kershaw (Mike’s Garbage Art) and Mary Evelyn Tucker’s watercolors. Non-profit Skaggs Foundation is part of the street festival, as is Taney County Health Department, Southern Missouri Arts Connection (SMAC), and White River Bowmen.
“The festival makes you feel comfortable and welcome to share what you’ve made,” says 17-year old Branson artist Kaitlynn Robinson.
“Everyone from different backgrounds coming together with one thing in common: we all love the Ozarks,” furthers history author Clint Lacy of Marble Hill, Missouri.
Travis Archie of Campbell’s Company Camp #2252, Sons of Confederate Veterans, concurs. “We are honored to be invited to SOTO Fest and really hope to foster open, honest conversations about our history and the activities the camp does to preserve Confederate history of the Missouri Ozarks.”
“It’s where superheroes and Civil War re-enactors mingle, while weightlifters demonstrate next to arrowhead makers,” says Curtis Copeland, founder of the Society of Ozarkian Hillcrofters and longtime local historian. “It’s that rustic spirit of the traditional autumn Ozarks festival that [also] introduces the visitor to a feast of activities.”
“SOTO Fest is representative of the creativity, individuality and traditions of our region. It brings together unique artisans of all disciplines while also fostering connections that highlight the profound impact the arts can have on the health and wellness of the community. It’s also a ton of fun,” shares Tenille Blair-Neff, art therapist and executive director of SMAC.
“It’s amazing event that has not only brought Hollister together but the whole Ozarkian community,” noted Clint “Goblin King” Unruh recently. “I have never been a part of something as massive and as welcoming as SOTO Fest is.”
Festival sponsors include Prime Lending, Victory Chiro, City of Hollister, PostNet, First Community Bank of the Ozarks, Renewal by Andersen Window Replacement, and Commerce Bank.
