Tuesday, March 1, 2016 11:30 am

Mark your calendars to be part of the festival known around the world for celebrating the restorative power of nature. Once renowned for the mineral springs that are abundant in the area, the historic town of Red Boiling Springs in the Upper Cumberland region of Middle Tennessee is excited to host its annual Folk Medicine Festival on Saturday, June 4, 2016.

Throughout the city parks and downtown area this festival features artists and craftspeople, food vendors, and entertainment of all kinds. Added this year in the Log Cabin Village area is Short Mountain Distillery. Come see how moonshine alcohol is distilled the old -fashioned way. No actual product will be distilled or available for purchase but, you will enjoy the demonstration. Don't miss the Barth Old Time Medicine Show! Mr. Dan Barth will host three half hour shows during the day. You are welcome to visit with him throughout the day. Our Children's Area is expanding this year with more games and activities for the younger ones. The old bank building will be open as a photo shop. Have your entire group don costumes and props from the 1920s for a black and white photo you take home that day. The Festival Quilt Show is adding an antique quilt display.

Come learn about bio-dynamic farming from Jeff Poppen, the Barefoot Farmer. Ila Hatter, the Lady of the Forest, returns this year to share her knowledge on the identification and use of local herbs and plants. You will find both Jeff and Ila in the dining room of the historic Armour's Hotel. Horse-drawn wagons provide "taxi service" throughout the festival grounds. Located on Market Street between the Palace Entertainment Stage and the Log Cabin Village, be sure to check out the Red Boiling Springs' Fire Department's Auto Jam.

The 2016 festival also features an arts and crafts market area, healing arts practitioners' area and two live music stages. Festival hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm in downtown Red Boiling Springs. There is no admission to the festival. There is a $2 per session admission to the educational sessions and the Festival Quilt Show.

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.

To learn more about the 2016 Red Boiling Springs Folk Medicine Festival, please contact Vision 2020 Inc at vision2020@nctc.com or visit their website:www.vision2020inc.com Updates on festival plans and activities will be posted on the festival's Facebook page.