Annual Music Festival has a Family Friendly Vibe
EUREKA SPRINGS, ARK. – The Hillberry Music Festival vibe is a uniquely profound experience in the heart of the Ozarks, located just outside of historic Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This epic bluegrass festival has been running since 2014. From the many merchandise shops to the fabulous lineup of live musicians to the delectable food trucks, camping, people watching, and everything in-between, this year’s festival will no doubt be difficult to top in the future years of this beloved and well-known annual music festival.
While several note-worthy artists graced the main stage at Hillberry 2024, the two most memorable were Paul Cauthen and Arkansauce. Paul Cauthen performed Friday night and in his all-black attire, coupled with his distinguished deep southern voice, he is reminiscent of some of the greatest voices in the history of country music…. Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams Jr., to name just a few. He brought a very unique vibe to the Hillberry audience, as most artists perform pieces more in line with bluegrass, Americana, and down-home, southern style music. But his connection with the audience is more in line with red dirt or outlaw country.
Arkansauce, a local band from Fayetteville, Arkansas, took the main stage at prime time on Saturday evening. Each of the four members were donned in a fancy-like shiny rose’ tuxedo jacket. The band’s guitar player, Zac Archuleta, joked that this was their first time performing at the Hillberry Prom. In reality, this noteworthy band is no stranger to the Hillberry vibe, as they actually celebrated their tenth year performing at Hillberry.
Arkansauce never fails to get the crowd moving! Nearly everyone within a five-mile radius of The Farm, the campground and event venue where Hillberry is held each year, could be found moving and shaking to the fast-paced beat in the pit, directly in front of the main stage. This band has a truly special bond with the audience, as many of those that have followed Arkansauce throughout their noteworthy career started with them several years ago when they made their grand debut in their hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas. The enchanting village of Eureka Springs, and specifically the annual Hillberry Festival at The Farm, is one of the band’s absolute favorite places to perform.
The merchandise area was nothing short of spectacular. Local vendors offered everything from hand-made hats and colorful outfits to beautifully stenciled leather belts, wallets, credit card holders, to natural stone jewelry and everything in-between. This section of the festival could be compared to a local Farmer’s Market meets Fall Festival with a side of flea market and thrift store flare. There was absolutely something for everyone! Deadhead Productions works diligently to set up each festival in much the same way as reminiscent Grateful Dead concerts, with the main stage and merch areas within short distance so that nothing is lost on the audience.
This festival is family friendly, as noted by the large array of children and young adults playing games, tie-dying t-shirts, learning musical instruments, eating at the morning’s grub hub in the media tent, and running around the grounds with a background of live music and not a single care in the world.
The fall leaves were ripe with colorful eye-candy, the sights and sounds of laughter, singing, music, and social camaraderie filled the air, and the performances at Hillberry 2024 were every bit as outstanding as in year’s past, possibly even more so. Stay tuned for the Hillberry 2025 lineup, soon to be announced.
