People gathered at Nifong Park to recognize different heritages with a variety of historical portrayals and crafters.
Filled with crafts, food, music and fun, Columbia Parks and Recreation held the 46th Annual Heritage Festival and Craft Show on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22, at Nifong Park in Columbia. Admission to the festival was free and visitors got to see portrayals of historical figures, such as Francis Scott Key and John Colter. They were able to observe different crafting arts, including wood carving and Native American flute making; as well as listening to live music; and more.
Jay Hickman speaks to visitors about the history and process of creating a Native American flute on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Nifong Park in Columbia. Hickman gained his passion for the music from a fifth generation flute maker who taught him the craft. “He told me, […] if you play your flute right, you’re telling a story, and the person listening adds their story to yours, and together, you go to a higher plane of existence,” Hickman said.Steve Winters, an artist with the Mid-Missouri Wood Carvers, makes wooden creations. Winters and his carving friends were there not only to show and sell some of their creations but to recruit more wood carvers. “If it’s left to just old guys like us, there’s going to come a day where there’s not much wood carving,” said wood carver Dee Crosby. “So [we’re] trying to get other people interested in it and having fun. It’s an opportunity to visit while you produce something.”Portrayer Clint Winn who characterized John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, sits at his table ready as he waits to talk about his character. After becoming interested in historic reenacting, Winn got involved with the Jefferson City committee to organize events for the 200th anniversary of the expedition. “They encouraged us to pick [a character] to portray,” Winn said. “So I was going down the list; I saw John. I’ve always been a John Wayne fan, so it took my fancy, and then ‘John Colter,’ I thought ‘that’s a cool name.’”Reenactor Troy “Ruben” Bolton plays the piano as he portrays Francis Scott Key. Key wrote some verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which did not become the official national anthem until about 90 years after his death. “Obviously, it’s a hobby; I enjoy doing it, I invest in it and all that,” Bolton said in regards to why he chose to portray Key. “But, you know, it’s a privilege, and I take it seriously.”Scarves ready to be sold lay on display in the crafters’ area. From aprons to resin-encrusted flowers, all kinds of crafts were present. One booth included handmade fabric that could be used as a shawl or scarf. The Ecuadorian Handcrafts’ booth showcased many different colors and styles to choose from.Chris DeMoss, a member of the Boone Howlers, plays guitar with the band at one of three stages across the park. The band played original music as well as covers of songs. “It’s really fun to come out here,” DeMoss said. “We get a different mix, we do different things, we try to make it more acoustic and old time songs. So, you know, it’s nice to play those out in a setting like this, because some of those songs don’t work everywhere we play.”A fenced-in cow watches the camera. As visitors waited for a tractor cart ride, they had the opportunity to watch some of the farm animals. In the fenced-in area were a few goats and cows. There was no place to pet any of the animals, but visitors did get to observe them.
Edited by Hannah Henderson | hhenderson@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Caroline Sweet and Hannah Taylor | htaylor@themaneater.com
Edited by Emilia Hansen | ehansen@themaneater.com
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