Organizers have announced the headlining musical acts for the 32nd annual Ozark Heritage Festival, scheduled for Oct. 16 and 17 in downtown West Plains.
The two-day event celebrates the traditional music, crafts and folk culture of the Missouri Ozarks. Admission to all festival activities is free. Festival grounds will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with live music starting at noon each day.
The Lacewings will headline the main stage at 7 p.m. Oct. 16. The Springfield-based acoustic duo, featuring Liz Carney and Molly Healey, performs dark folk music characterized by rich vocal harmonies. Carney and Healey, who have collaborated in the region for 12 years, released their self-titled debut album in 2019 and followed with their second album, "II," in April 2024. Their set features original compositions alongside new arrangements of traditional and contemporary songs. Visit thelacewings.com to hear a sample from their newest album.
Little Jones will take the headline slot at 7 p.m. Oct. 17. The Southwest Missouri string-and-percussion ensemble includes four former members of the Ozarks group Big Smith. Their repertoire combines original music, traditional regional favorites and eclectic covers. Find the band on Facebook at “little jones.”
The West Plains Council on the Arts established the festival to preserve, nurture and pass on the old-time music and folk life traditions distinctive to the Ozark Highlands.
The signature community event is presented in partnership with the West Plains Council on the Arts, the City of West Plains, the Ozark Heritage Welcome Center and Missouri State University-West Plains. Partial funding is provided by the Missouri Arts Council and Missouri Humanities.
For additional information, email info@westplainsarts.org or visit ozarkheritagefestival.org.
