36th Annual Carl Sandburg Music Festival

 

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site will host the 36th annual Carl Sandburg Music Festival on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2022.  This free festival offers live music performances at  11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. at the amphitheater and barnyard areas. Seating is available, and visitors are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs. Due to expected large crowds, pets will not be allowed at performances.  

 

The festival celebrates Carl Sandburg’s efforts to document the history of American music as published in his collection, The American Songbag. Sandburg enjoyed many American musical genres and spent years interviewing musicians and singers from folk, gospel, jazz and blues. Carl Sandburg said, “the American Songbag comes from the hearts and voices of thousands of men and women.”  

 

“We’re excited to bring our community together and celebrate Sandburg’s musical legacy in person, after a two-year hiatus due to COVID 19,” said Superintendent Polly Angelakis. “We want to thank our partners, the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, Inc.; Eastern National, the non-profit partner that operates the park store; and the Henderson Country Tourism Development Authority, for their support of this festival.” 

 

At 11 a.m., Peter Dimery Trio will perform Jazz music. Saxophonist Peter Dimery, originally from the coast of South Carolina, has become an in-demand soloist along the eastern seaboard. His jazz trio features two renowned veterans of the western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina music scene, drummer Jason DeCristofaro and bassist Shannon Hoover. 

 

At 2 p.m., Mark Webb, Jr, plays Americana music. As a singer-songwriter Mark carries a tender voice and unique timbre that embodies real Americana. Taking inspiration from life experiences, overheard conversations, and current events, he writes and curates songs that echo the cuts, bruises, and blossoms of life. He has shared the stage with musicians such as American Aquarium, Turnpike Troubadours, Jill Andrews, Justin Townes Earle, and more. 

 

Barnyard
From 1 to 3 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. 

 

As part of the one-day festival, free tours of the Sandburg Home will be available at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 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 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Memorial Day. For information on other house tour days, please visit www.nps.gov/carl. 

 

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 go.nps.gov/musicfest. 

 

Carl Sandburg played the guitar, banjo, and harmonica; and collected a series of folk songs, which he published in his book The American Songbag, in 1927. He wrote, “The American Songbag is a ragbag of strips, stripes, and streaks of color from nearly all ends of the earth. The melodies and verses presented here are from diverse regions, from varied human characters and communities, and each is sung differently in different places.” His publication does not focus on one genre of music, but rather on the human experience. “It is an all-American affair, marshalling the genius of thousands of original singing Americans.” Compiling and publishing the American Songbag was one of the most difficult writing projects Sandburg took on during his life. Today, the Carl Sandburg Music Festival celebrates his work and the work of modern singers and songwriters to share diverse and original American music. 

 

Park grounds and trails are open sunrise to sunset. Leashed pets are allowed on trails and grounds. Outdoor access to the goats (in the barnyard and goat pasture) is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Access to grounds, trails and the goats is free.  

 

Visitors should follow CDC guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and recreate responsibly.  For the health and safety of others, please choose another time to visit if you are not feeling well.  

 

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, located in Flat Rock, NC, is open daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Due to COVID-19, some visitor services are limited. For park updates and all parking options visit www.nps.gov/carl.