News from
Office of Marketing and Communications
ABAC 30, 2802 Moore Hwy
Tifton, GA 31793-2601
Phone 229-391-5055
Fax 229-391-5056
[email protected]
For IMMEDIATE Release
MARCH 20, 2017
Georgia Museum of Agriculture Hosts Folklife Festival April 8
TIFTON—Visitors can enjoy a celebration of the rich, rural heritage of South Georgia
during the annual Folklife Festival on April 8 at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic
Village at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Showcasing South Georgia’s history and
culture, the event runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with interactive activities for both children and
adults.
The Vulcan Steam train’s whistle welcomes visitors for a ride to the Historic Village and
Festival. A can’t miss moment of the day will be the ceremonial firing of the Turpentine Still at
11 a.m. for the Historic Village’s annual turpentine distillation. Museum guests will see up close
and personal this age-old process that is central to South Georgia’s cultural heritage. The still
will be running throughout the day and discharging closer to 4 p.m.
The Folklife Festival is all about hands-on activities including tree debarking and hewing,
sheep shearing, wool spinning, weaving and washing, pine needle basket-making, and quilt
square sewing demonstration. Guests can also visit the antique and model tractors that will be on
display on the Opry Shelter Lawn. The antique tractors will parade through the Historic Village
at 1 p.m. The Blacksmith Shop’s forge will be glowing red as the Village Blacksmith provides
demonstrations throughout the day. Be sure not to pass up face painting under the oak trees at the
Wesley Chapel.
Guests can visit with the Little River Wood Turners as they ply their trade in the Variety
Works shop. Guests will be treated to the sweet sounds of bluegrass music from Grassically
Trained Bluegrass, hailing from Corryton, Tenn. Folk music from Dr. Jeff Newberry, professor
of English and communication and poet-in-residence in the School of Liberal Arts, will be
featured on the Clark Cabin porch.
A quilting exhibit, “Linda O’Sullivan: A Celtic Perspective,” will also open on April 8 as
part of the festival in the Museum Gallery. The exhibit will showcase 24 unique quilts by the
artist. The 2017 American Legacy Quilt show will also take place in the Peanut Museum at the
Museum on April 7-8 and will showcase dozens of quilts to the public.
Linda O’Sullivan’s work earned the People’s Choice Award at last year’s American
Legacy Quilt Show at the Gallery of the Museum. She has been a member of Quilters Unlimited
of Tallahassee for over 30 years and a member of The Dyffryn Quilters in Wales for 10 years.
For additional information about this exhibit, please contact Polly Huff, Museum
Assistant Director and Curator, at [email protected].
To satisfy every hearty appetite, the Historic Village’s Drug Store will offer delicious
soup and pound cake. 41 & Main will also be selling barbecue ribs and chicken salad to tempt
your taste buds at the Opry Shelter. Visitors can step into the Country Store and pick up food
items including jams, jellies, grits, or corn meal.
The Festival coincides with the seasonal opening of the Wiregrass Farmers Market. Local
growers and producers will be offering fresh picked produce from 9 a.m. until noon as well as
hand-made goods for sale at the Market located under the pole barn behind the Country Store.
Admission to the Folklife Festival is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $5 for children
5–16 years of age, and free for children under five. For more information, interested persons can
contact the Country Store at (229) 391-5205.
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