Traditional skills festival planned in Milan

Posted: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 9:26 pm

Thousands are expected to celebrate the region’s heritage at the 10th annual Fall Folklore Jamboree on the grounds of the West Tennessee Agricultural Museum and University of Tennessee Ag Research and Education Center at Milan.
With gates opening to the public at 9 a.m. on Saturday, the jamboree provides an ideal venue for more than 100 traditional folk artists, musicians and exhibitors to demonstrate skills in traditional crafts such as soap making, tatting, weaving and quilting.
Other demonstrations will include apple cider press, grist mill and farming and logging with mules and horses.
Music will be provided by various bluegrass and gospel groups, featuring Stone County Connection, winners of the Tennessee State Bluegrass Band Champions and Tennessee Valley/Alabama State Bluegrass Band Champions.
The event will continue throughout the day until 4 p.m.
Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for cliildren ages 3-12. Children 2 and younger will be admitted free of charge. Parking is free. Food will be available for purchase on site.
“The Jamboree is a great opportunity for us to gather with the community and celebrate our heritage,” said Blake Brown, director of the UT Ag Research and Education Center at Milan. Each year we’ve seen the jamboree grow and this year’s event promises to be the best ever.
The West Tennessee Agricultural Museum will also be open during the festival. The museum features life-size depictions of the everyday challenges faced by area settlers, displays of equipment and materials and an array of historical artifacts. Visitors will journey through the rich cultural heritage of agrarian life in West Tennessee.
The museum is located on U.S. Highway 70A and 79, north of Milan.
For more information about the 2008 Fall Folklore Jamboree, contact the UTIA Ag Research and Education Center at Milan at (731) 686-7362, the West Tennessee Agricultural Museum at (731) 686-8067 or e-mail tennu@bellsouth.net.
Published in The Messenger 10.14.08