Friday Night

"Stories Around the Campfire"

and

"Campfire Jam Session"

Come join us as we sit around the campfire and listen to these four local storytellers share their favorite tales and stories of the Ozarks. Meet our storytellers:

Travis Holt was born in the Ozarks and raised at his family home at Vendor where his Holt line settled in the 1850’s. He graduated from Mt. Judea in 2006. He currently lives near Omaha, AR with his wife and Three Children. Travis is the author of the blog: The Shadow of Red Rock as well as the President of the Historical Society of Newton County, Arkansas. Travis is a wealth of knowledge of the rich history of our area as well as a highly entertaining storyteller! Travis also remembers those who passed on long ago by placing grave markers on unmarked graves as well as writing tributes to those who climbed these mountains before us.

Stanley Taylor is a local author as well as the preacher of Lurton Assembly of God Church. He is also appointed to the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. The Commission oversees and manages 79 natural areas throughout the state of Arkansas. Mr. Stanley is a captivating storyteller and has written a book entitled “The Legend of Nail”. We highly recommend that you grab a signed copy at “Stories Around the Campfire”.

Kevin Middleton is a Retired- Interpretive Park Ranger at Buffalo National River. Prior to his time with the park, he was a guide for Ecotours, a locally organized nonprofit organization, leading outdoor enthusiasts around the Buffalo River region, providing experiences and information about the area, including the history, geology, flora and fauna.Kevin is passionate about the area he adopted as his home when he moved here from Texas in 1986, and rarely misses a day to go to walk in his beloved woods or along the river. Even after be retired from being a ranger, visitors seek him out as they recognize him as someone that can help, and he is more than happy to give anyone as much time as needed to share the information that will help them during their visit to the Buffalo National River.

Dennis Gundersen has hiked in the Ozarks since 1978 and last year completed every waterfall trail or bushwhack in Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfall Guide, including those in the Ouachitas. His hiking has included the high points of 41 states. Married to Naomi for 48 years, they have together passed on their love of exploring to their four sons. Arkansas is his favorite state to explore, without a doubt! Dennis served as a Tulsa-area pastor for 26 years, was Founder and President of Grace & Truth Books for 30 years and is the author of four books. He is now retired from all that work, so he can get outside more!

Hang around the main stage for an Ozark Mountain "Campfire Jam Session" with our musical guests......