KNOXVILLE, TN - “History Revival” is the theme of the 15th Vestival South Knoxville Arts and Heritage Festival, sponsored by the Candoro Knoxville Arts & Heritage Center, which will be held Saturday, May 9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the grounds of the Historic Candoro Marble Company off Martin Mill Pike in Vestal. Free shuttle rides will be provided by Premier Transportation and South Knoxville Alliance; parking for the shuttle is available at the Disc Exchange and additional shuttle stops.

“Vestival started as a way to celebrate the rich heritage of the area and provide a site for enhancing community identity and fostering cultural renewal,” explains Vestival organizer Chelsea Voelker.

To honor that founding vision, this year’s attendees will experience the area’s history through stories, images, photographs and artifacts, which have been collected by neighbors and natives. One particular honoree will be one of Vestal’s strongest story-bearers, Dobber Doyle (aka “the Vestal Voice”), who recently passed away.

Art displays on the festival grounds will depict the industries that formed Vestal, provide information on each of those (especially the marble industry) and specifics on the abundance of the land’s natural resources. A hand-skill station will connect guests of all ages with the disappearing skills of wool spinning, woodworking, blacksmithing, and pottery, as well as seed saving and composting.

The “history revival” will take place alongside a wide array of local craft persons and food vendors, community organization booths, two stages of music all day, children's activities, special guest storytellers, cake walks, an all-ages square dance, and the traditional Mothers’ Day brunch from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., provided by South Knoxville farmers and Three Rivers Market.

 

Musical and dance performers include: Red Shoes & Rosin; Y'uns; Exit 65; The Lonetones; Quartjar; The Blue Print featuring Keith Brown; Kevin Abernathy Band; Evan Carawan and the Celtic Collaborators; Matt A. Foster; Dixieghost; Jack Herranen and the Little Red Band; The Swill Sippers square dance band with caller Stan Sharp; magician Nick Roberts; The Sandsation Dancers; Dragonfly Aerial Arts; Claire Metz Bellydancers; and the Cattywampus Puppet Council.

The work of artists Rand Arnold and Rick Alexander will be featured inside the Candoro during Vestival and celebrated with a reception on Friday, May 8, 7-9 p.m.

Vestival takes place rain or shine. Admission is by donation; a $5-$10 per person/family donation is requested to help support the non-profit organization.

For more information, visit CandoroMarble.org.