Planning continues for the big Ozarks Program at the 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, to be held from June 28 to July 9 on the National Mall in DC.

Here are a few updates:

• Today, Thursday, October 13, 2022, Tom Peters will be meeting in Branson with various representatives of the tourism and outdoor recreation industry, exploring those themes of the program.
• Next Monday through Wednesday a team from the Smithsonian Institution (SI) will be in the Ozarks to continue working with Ozarkers to plan the Ozarks Program. In addition to intensive planning meetings to be held in Duane G. Meyer Library, the group will visit several nearby locales and events. On Monday they will travel to Ava, the Glade Top Trail, and to tiny McClurg, to participate in the weekly music jam session. On Tuesday the group will motor west on Route 66 from Springfield to Spencer. Wednesday will include a trip to Branson and Silver Dollar City, including a trek down into Marvel Cave.
• Discussions continue with many groups about sponsorship opportunities. Recently the Missouri Tourism Division pledged at least $500,000 to support the Ozarks Program.