Ballyhoo Fest will return to shores of Lake Shelby March 5-6, 2022

Ballyhoo Fest will return to shores of Lake Shelby March 5-6, 2022

It will take more than a worldwide pandemic to stop the Ballyhoo Fine Arts Festival from holding its event in 2022. The fest will be held for the second time on the shores of Lake Shelby at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores March 5-6, 2022.
Although it is a showcase for fine art from all over the Southeast, the fest is at its core a cultural exchange with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and that will continue with two tribal dance performances from the tribe on Saturday. Learn about Poarch heritage as tribal members perform original tribal dance in ceremonial regalia. Each dance has a specific meaning and the audience will be invited to join the tribe for their last tribal dance at both of their performances. The Poarch Creek Indians are descendants of a segment of the original Creek Nation, which once covered almost all of Alabama and Georgia. Unlike many southeastern tribes, the Poarch Creeks were not removed from their tribal lands, and have lived together for over 150 years at Poarch, Alabama. They are the only nationally recognized tribe in Alabama.
The fest will again include Sunday banjo and fiddle competitions sponsored by Flora-Bama Lounge & Package and the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. Both competitions include separate youth (under 18) and adult divisions, and a total of $1500 in cash for the top three players on both instruments. The competitions are open to all, and entry forms are available online at ballyhoofestival.org.
“We already have a great cultural exchange event either the Poarch Band of Creek Indians on the first day of the festival,’’ said event founder Eloise Thomley. “Early Americana music is becoming a lost art form, and we would like to present its history through description and the music itself.”
As always, Ballyhoo will include a plethora of children’s activities, train rides, a children’s art tent and animals form the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo. Food and beverages will be available. More info: ballyhoofestival.org.
Pictured: The 2022 Ballyhoo Fine Arts Festival committee includes Brittany Roh, GS-OB Tourism; Millie Shamburger, Big Beach Brewery; Autumn Marks, Ballyhoo Publicity Director; Katherine Assad, Ballyhoo Volunteer; Andy Haynes, Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival; Jenifer Parnell, Marketing Director, FloraBama; Eloise Thomley, Gulf Coast Arts Alliance; Cindy Langston, Gulf State Park; Cody Hicks, Ballyhoo Grounds Dir.; Katie Avant, Ballyhoo Chair; Michael Swiger, Swiger Studio; Hannah White, Marketing Asst., Kiva Dunes.