BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — For two days this summer, downtown Inez will become the sort of place where an Elvis impersonator, a moonshine maker, a mounted archer and a mouth-painting artist can all reasonably be considered part of the same plan.
The fourth annual Appalachian Artist Festival returns July 31 and Aug. 1, bringing musicians, artists, farmers, makers and performers to Courthouse Square for a free celebration of Appalachian creativity in nearly every form imaginable.
There will be live music, visual art, quilts, handmade goods, farm-fresh produce, good eats and craft beverages. There will also be medieval armor, swordplay, mounted archery and lemonade crowned with cotton candy, because the festival has never been especially interested in staying inside the lines.
This year, the party starts early.
For the first time, the festival will open Friday afternoon with a full kickoff celebration on the Court Street stage. The Martin County High School Pic and Bow Program will begin the music from 3:30-5 p.m., followed by square dancing from 5:15-6 p.m. and a corn-shucking contest from 6:15-6:45 p.m.
Bedford will take over from 7-9 p.m., featuring original music and a Nirvana tribute, closing the first night with the volume turned considerably higher than it started.
Saturday’s program starts with a welcome and announcements at 10:45 a.m.
A songwriters round from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. will give musicians a chance to share original work, followed by an open mic from 1-3 p.m.
Then comes six straight hours of main-stage music.
Kyle Cornette will arrive as Elvis at 3 p.m. Wakita Young follows at 4 p.m., Mountain Laurels at 5 p.m., Eric Bolander at 6 p.m., Shelby Lore Band at 7 p.m. and Sarah Beth Terry at 8 p.m.
Festival-goers will find a colorful mix beyond the stage.
Sun Sisters Tanning & Tiki Bar starts pouring 32-ounce pails of freshly squeezed lemonade at 10 a.m., including varieties crowned with clouds of cotton candy.
Kentucky Mist Distillery of Whitesburg returns with handcrafted moonshine, corn whiskey, vodka and flavored moonshines infused with whole fruit.
Martin County native Jeffery Hale plans to unveil his latest art exhibit during the festival.
“Your homegrown boy loves you,” Hale said. “Martin County, here I come.”
Inez artist Brittany Marcum will be on hand with original paintings and prints. Owners of Marcum’s mouth-painted originals are encouraged to bring the artwork for public display and share the stories behind the pieces. Participants may receive a print of one of her earlier works.
Sherry’s Arts & Crafts, BentleyMade, Ronda’s Chaotic Creative Life, Merlyn Made Macrame, Fletcher & Matney 3D Printing and Little Sensory Bins will bring their creations to the festival marketplace.
Destiny Maynard, tattoo artist is on board this year.
Author Beth Pugh will also be on hand.
CLT Farms Equestrian Healing Center, meanwhile, adds a touch of the Middle Ages to downtown Inez. Visitors can suit up in armor, practice mounted archery drills aboard Rollie the “barrel pony” and test their sword-swinging form. The center also plans to share information about its programs and archery team.
B’s Family Farm rolls in with a mobile market stocked with fresh, locally grown produce. The farm accepts SNAP/EBT.
Lovely Bee & Honey Supply will join the marketplace.
Count on Angie’s Bloomin Onions & More to be there so you will not go hungry.
Sophisticated Hillbilly Cigars comes to town, offering perhaps the festival’s most relaxed invitation.
“Come for the music, stay because somebody handed you a cigar and you forgot what time it was,” the vendor announced.
Organizers expect to confirm several more vendors.
For one weekend, losing track of time in downtown Inez seems entirely reasonable.