Tuesday, April 30, 2013 8:55 am

Plans are coming together for this year’s Folk Medicine Festival in Red Boiling Springs Saturday, June 1.  Featured speakers include: Jeff Poppen, Ila Hatter and Paul Entwistle.  Jeff, known as the Barefoot Farmer, will share lessons he has learned through his years of biodynamic farming. “The Lady of the Forest”, Ila Hatter is renowned for her extensive knowledge of plants and their folklore.  Get ready to be stretched by Paul’s presentation on the benefits of Yoga.

The goal of the Red Boiling Springs Folk Medicine Festival is to pass on knowledge, skills, and traditions that ensure the survival of folk activities, from: old-time medicine and natural healing arts to arts and crafts that demonstrate the traditional, handmade way of not only creating art but useful household items. You will want to visit the Log Cabin Village area, where demonstrators including a potter, a wood carver, chair maker and blacksmith will show how it was done in years gone by. There will be horse-drawn wagons providing “taxi service” throughout the festival grounds; an arts and crafts market area; a live music stage and children’s play area.  The Red Boiling Springs Fire Department will be back with their outhouse race.

New this year is a Quilt Show. The Quilt Show will be held at the Red Boiling Springs Church of Christ Fellowship Hall on East Main Street in Red Boiling Springs. The Show runs concurrent with the Folk Medicine Festival, Saturday, June 1, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  All quilts must be accompanied by an entry form (available at http://www.vision2020inc.com/Pages/FolkMedicineFestival.aspx).  Each entrant is limited to one quilt per category (Pieced, Appliqué or Wall Hanging).There will be ribbons for First, Second and Third Places in each category. A ribbon and gift certificate for Best of Show and a ribbon and gift for People’s Choice and there will of course be bragging rights for all winners. Contact Rita at vision2020@nctc.com or 615-388-3046 for further information.

Also, this year plan to attend the Donoho Hotel’s Annual Bluegrass Festival on Friday and Saturday nights (May 31st and June1st).  Contact Pam Dean at the Donoho Hotel for more information (615-699-3141 or info@thedonohohotel.com).

This year’s sponsors include the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Macon County Arts Council. Mark your calendars to be a part of the 2013 Folk Medicine Festival on Saturday, June 1, 2013. There is no admission. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.