News

Carl Sandburg Music Festival lineup announced

By Bill Moss, Published: May 26, 2023

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site will host the free Carl Sandburg Music Festival 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 3, at the amphitheater and goat barn.

“We moved the Sandburg Music Fest from its previous late May date into June, to honor Sandburg family history and the love of music passed down to the Sandburgs’ children and grandchildren,” said park Superintendent Polly Angelakis. “Carl Sandburg and Lilian Steichen were married on June 15, 1908. Music Fest dates will now occur closer to their June wedding anniversary.”

Amphitheater

At 11 a.m., Dr. Jhon Akers presents “Sandburg and the Guitar.” Come hear the music that Sandburg loved to listen to, what he wrote about the guitar and how the guitar inspired him. Dr. Akers is an Associate Professor of Modern Languages at Wofford College. An avid classical guitarist, Akers has performed at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Notre Dame University, Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, and the Free Library of Philadelphia.

At 1 p.m., James “Bo” Taylor will bring Cherokee traditional song and dance to the Sandburg stage. Bo Taylor is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Growing up in the Wolftown community, elders in the tribe presented traditional songs and dances, which Bo now performs in their honor. Important subjects, such as native language, history, and stereotypes will be intertwined within the performance, giving the audience a more complete understanding of the Cherokee culture.

Barnyard

From noon to 2 p.m., Patrick Ballard will play acoustic guitar and banjo. Patrick has performed all over western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and Georgia. He plays eight instruments and performs primarily as a volunteer at care centers. He has more than 40 years of musical experience.

Sandburg Home Tours

As part of the one-day festival, free tours of the Sandburg Home will be available at 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are first come, first serve, from the Visitor Center/Park Store beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Visitor Center/Park Store is located on the ground floor of the Sandburg Home and will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information on other house tour days, visit www.nps.gov/carl or www.recreation.gov.

Shuttle and parking

There are three parking options available: the Main parking lot, located on Little River Road across from the Flat Rock Playhouse; the Flat Rock Playhouse lot; and the Hikers’ parking lot. Visitors with accessibility needs should pull into the Main parking lot and stop by the accessible parking spaces where a ranger will provide assistance. Other non-accessible parking lots are available in Flat Rock. For all festival, accessibility, shuttle, and parking information visit https://www.nps.gov/carl/planyourvisit/musicfest.htm.

Due to expected large crowds, pets are not permitted at performances.