Dickson Mounds Open House & Hickory Ridge 20th Anniversary Festival

Dickson Mounds Open House & Hickory Ridge 20th Anniversary Festival

• Location: ISM Dickson Mounds Museum, Lewistown
• Date: Sunday, September 14, 2014, 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Hickory Ridge Concert Series will forgo it’s traditional 3rd Saturday schedule and present an afternoon of live music on Sunday, September the 14, 2014 from 2:00 until 5:00 pm. The “Mini Festival” celebrates the co - 20th anniversaries of the Hickory Ridge Concert series and the re-dedication of Dickson Mounds Museum. “The Dickson Mounds Museum has been an outstanding partner and represents a tremendous resource for the region” said Hickory Ridge Artistic Director Vallillo. “There is no way that this series would have lasted this long in a rural area without their support.”

In 1994, the series had lost its space and was looking for a new home; Dickson Mounds had just undergone a big transformation. Working together seemed like a perfect match and the first concert took place one week after the Museum re-opened. The series has gone on uninterrupted in the Dickson Mounds Museum auditorium ever since presenting folk, acoustic, songwriter, blues, bluegrass and traditional music once a month.

The Dickson Mounds Museum Open House will begin at Noon and continue throughout the day. Visitors will be able to see behind the scenes exhibit work as well as have a chance to talk to archaeologist about current research work at the museum.

The music will take place on the outdoor stage beginning at 2:00 and will feature series host, Chris Vallillo (roots and originals on guitar and slide guitar), Bucky Halker (Woody Guthrie and songs of the dust bowl), Dennis Stroughmatt (Illinois French/Cajun fiddle), Rocky Maffit (world percussion), Steve Endsley (mtn. dulcimer) and local roots musician Nathan Taylor. In celebration of the twenty years of partnership with the Dickson Mounds Museum, there will be no admission charge for this event. In the event of rain, the concerts will take place in the auditorium.

For more information call 309-547-3721 or go to: www.hickoryridgeconcerts.com

The Illinois State Museum - Dickson Mounds is located between Lewistown and Havana off Illinois Routes 78 and 97. The museum is open free to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day. Tours and special programs are available for groups with reservations. For more information call 309.547.3721 or TTY 217.782.9175 or visit the www.experienceDicksonMounds.com. Also check out weekly updates on Facebook at “Illinois State Museum – Dickson Mounds”.