The Old Oak Festival returns to the Tusculum campus this weekend, April 20-22.
This year’s festival will feature a wide variety of music, food and fun and will span three days, providing something for everyone, including live music, theater, arts and crafts, as well as fabulous festival food.
“The Old Oak Festival is a fun, family event,” said Nicole Rader, director of alumni engagement at Tusculum. “With all the performances, crafts and activities, it’s the kind of event to bring the family and stay all day.”
Throughout the weekend on stage, the festival will present the sounds of the region, with a wide variety of music from bluegrass to jazz featuring local vocalists and instrumentalists. Sunday will feature gospel and other music groups on all stages.
Friday performers include Perfect World, Mike Joy, Boot Leg Turn, Jimmie D and local favorite Jay Storm will wrap up the evening.
On Saturday, the music begins with the popular Conduct Us, where anyone with an interest may step up and conduct the Tusculum Concert Band. Also on stage on Saturday are the Dandy Lines, the Tusculum Jazz Band, Ben Sneyd, the Dane Hinkle Band, the Madisons, Abel Brown, Cynthia Anderson and Shiloh. The evening will wrap up with the TC Horns and the All Star Band.
On Sunday, Jim and Curtis Moneyhun begin at 1 p.m., followed by Poplar Hill, the Wild Honey Band and Fire in the Kitchen.
Other performers throughout the weekend include Jakie Keesling, who will be leading an open Jam Session all weekend, Jonathan Nicholson and puppeteer Joyce Carroll.
This year’s special events will include an art show at Allison Gallery, theater performances by GLAWPIGT (Great Literature Alive, Well and Playing In Greeneville Tennessee) and a historical LEGO building contest.
The Allison Gallery will feature recent work by local artist Clem Allison, with a focus on aspects of the Tusculum campus. Allison previously served as art department chairman and director of the Division of Arts and Humanities until his retirement as professor emeritus of art in 2000.
Local artist Nic Hankins will also be on site on Sunday at 1 p.m. to provide an interactive painting demonstration.
The 2018 Old Oak Festival will also provide an opportunity for one-on-one interaction with local authors. Authors’ Row gives the public an opportunity to explore the works of local authors and talk to them about their work. The authors will be located in the lobby of the Pioneer Arena during the festival and will be signing works.
The youth theater group, GLAWPIGT, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, will showcase the young talent of the Greeneville and Greene County school systems with special performances each day during the festival.
The Third Annual LEGO Historical Building contest offers the opportunity for entrants to build their own historical structure. This year’s theme is American History. Registration begins on April 1. Interested persons may sign up at https://www.facebook.com/events/157242611642193/.
Prizes will be awarded in five categories: kindergarten- grade 2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12 and adults. Within each category there will be three winners: 1st Place, Runner-up, and Crowd Favorite. The judging will be held on Saturday, April 21, from 1-3 p.m., and the Awards Ceremony will be Sunday, April 22, at 3 p.m.
Tusculum’s President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library will feature a new exhibit, “Tusculum at 225” throughout the festival. The museum exhibit has been designed in conjunction with the 225th birthday of Tusculum.
Tusculum museum studies students, under the leadership of Dr. Peter Noll, associate professor of public history and museum studies, have been hard at work creating a new exhibit that explores the storied history of Tennessee’s first institution of higher learning.
“Tusculum at 225” will be open to the public beginning April 20.
“Working on the new exhibit has been an insightful experience in more than just the research aspect,” said Alex Rollison, senior museum studies student. “Creating interpretative panels and building exhibit components is fantastic real world experience. While researching my time period I was able to learn more about the civic arts that Tusculum has put an emphasis on in the last 30 years.”
During the festival, the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library and the Doak House Museum hold extended operating hours. They will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 22 (Doak House Museum only).
Additionally, 19th century style toys and games will be available in a special children’s area on the lawn near the Thomas J. Garland Library on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. The games will be supervised by a service learning class from Tusculum.
A church service will be held on Sunday morning, beginning at 11 a.m.
There is no fee to attend the festival. Art vendor hours will be Friday from noon until 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Rader at 423-636-7303. Entertainment and food continues into the evening.
Service animals are welcome; however, no pets are allowed. Coolers, firearms and alcohol are also prohibited on Tusculum College campus property during the festival. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged.
The 2018 Old Oak Festival is sponsored by Artistic Printers, Eastman Credit Union, Greeneville Light and Power System, The Greeneville Sun, Radio Greeneville and Silver Star Design Co. Anyone interested in sponsoring the event should contact Rader at 423.636.7303.
For updates and more information, visit the website at www.oldoakfestival.org or on facebook.
The Old Oak Festival returns to Tusculum campus April 20-22.