Silver Dollar City showcases Native American artistry with National Crafts & Cowboy Festival

Silver Dollar City is celebrating craftsmanship, cowboys, chuck wagon cooking and Native American artistry with the National Crafts & Cowboy Festival, from Sept. 12 – Oct. 27.

New for this year, the Cherokee Indian Trading Post will showcase Native American artisans as they demonstrate heritage crafts like flute making, pottery and bow making. Guests can also enjoy cooking demonstrations of Cherokee recipes throughout the month of September.

Featured artists for the festival include award-winning performer and flute crafter Tommy Wildcat, potter maker Lisa Rutherford, and bow crafter Richard Fields – all named Cherokee National Treasure artists.

Over 125 visiting craftsmen will join Silver Dollar City’s 100 traditional craftsmen, with trades like clock making, weaving, copper color art, fiddle making, basket weaving, gourd painting, and jewelry making.

Watercolor artist and “Gunsmoke” star Buck Taylor will display his and other artists’ work in Buck Taylor’s Cowboy Emporium, with western art like leather crafting, antler baskets, horseshoe art, moccasin crafting, and turkey feather painting.

The last chances to see the Wild West Show will start on Sept. 12. The popular western show features Nakotah LaRance, 9-time World Champion Native American Hoop Dancer, alongside trick riders, performing dogs and sharpshooting champion Kala Howard. The show runs through Oct. 14.

Kent Rollins, an authentic chuck wagon chef, will return this October with his Food Network-featured cowboy culinary offerings and give daily demonstrations of chuck wagon cooking.

New for this year, “An Evening on the Trail with Kent & Buck” is a special ticketed event featuring dinner, cowboy stories and fun with Kent Rollins and Buck Taylor in the Culinary & Craft School on Friday nights in October. The event includes a full-course steak dinner and a cookbook.

It isn’t a festival without good music, and this year’s feature music acts include The Western Flyers, Belinda Gail, The Home Rangers, Syd Masters & The Swing Riders, Vocal Union, The Western Barn Dance, and The Willis Clan.

Silver Dollar City is open Wednesdays through Sundays, and hosting The National Crafts & Cowboy Festival from Sept. 12 – Oct. 27.

To learn more about this event and other Silver Dollar City offerings, visit SilverDollarCity.com.