TIFTON – Visitors can enjoy a celebration of the rich, rural heritage of South Georgia during the annual Folklife Festival on April 6 at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture. Showcasing South Georgia’s history and culture, the event runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with interactive activities for both children and adults.
A can’t miss moment of the day will be the ceremonial firing of the turpentine still at 11 a.m. for the Historic Village’s annual turpentine distillation. Museum guests can get a close view of this age-old process that is central to South Georgia’s cultural heritage. The Museum’s Vulcan Steam Engine will also be available for guests to experience a train ride through the Historic Village.
The Folklife Festival highlights interactive activities including livestock and wildlife encounters, cornbread samples, sawmill demonstrations and mule plowing. There will also be pine needle basket making demonstrations, tatting demonstrations, hay rides and live music. A new event this year, “Past to Present” Historical Dance, will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Guests can also visit the antique tractors that will be on display on the Cotton Gin Lawn. The antique tractors will parade through the Historic Village at noon and 2 p.m.
The Museum’s curatorial staff will have several offerings for Folklife festival guests. In the Art Gallery, the “Lost to the Ages” exhibit will feature the photography of Evey Mercer as she utilizes stunning photography to preserve the image of vanishing items for future generations. The artist will be present to lead guided gallery tours, give an artist talk, and mingle with attendees during a light reception.
Author Muriel Eden-Paul will spend the day at the GMA’s turpentiners’ cabin-The Knight Cabin, where she will sign copies of her book, Song of Jaybird. The book follows Delia and Henry-fictional characters based on historic records of turpentine camp workers, who in 1897 travel from Georgia to the Etna Turentine Camp in Florida with their mules Bo and Belle, a wagon holding their worldly possessions, and very pregnant with their first child.
In the Cordell Conference Center, the American Legacy Quilt Show will wow guests with exceptional fiber work. Raffle basket tickets will be available for purchase.
At the Museum’s Destination Ag Agricultural Literacy complex visitors will have the opportunity to meet and visit with Destination Ag’s friendly goats, sheep and mini Herefords in the “Busy Barnyard”. Destination Ag’s exciting playground, pollinator garden and honeybee observation hive will be open for all to enjoy. “Happy Sunrise” face-painting will also be at Destination Ag, adorning faces of all ages with their festive, colorful artistry.
To satisfy every hearty appetite, there will be a variety of delicious options to choose from. The Historic Village’s Drug Store will offer barbecue sandwiches, chili dogs, and hand dipped ice cream. Food trucks will also be on site with a variety of options including funnel cakes, egg rolls and street tacos.
Admission to the Folklife Festival is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $6 for children 5–16 years of age and free for children four and under. Anyone seeking more information can contact the Museum at (229) 391-5205.
ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture hosts Folklife Festival April 6
March 15, 2024
