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Mountain Days Artists give voice to appalachian people

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By Khalid Moss, Staff Writer 7:59 PM Thursday, August 13, 2009

Now in its 23rd year, The Mountain Days Festival is a tribute to the culture and music of the area’s Appalachian community.

The 2009 installment of this outdoor hootenanny takes place Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15-16, at Eastwood MetroPark and is sponsored by, among others, Our Common Heritage, a nonprofit organization that represents the concerns of Appalachian people in greater Dayton.

“We are chartered to be a voice for Appalachian people in the community,” said Tom Ritchie, chairman of the 2009 Mountain Days Festival and director of public relations for OCH. “Our organization is very active in helping to establish a black lung clinic, helping coal miners with health care and fighting discrimination against Appalachian people. We also have established an Appalachian scholarship at Sinclair Community College.”

The Mountain Days Festival — traditionally held the third weekend in August — will have three stages of continuous music. The Country Stage will feature The Kentucky Headhunters, Dave Ball and 38 year-old Dale Oakley, a Fairborn High grad and rising country music star.

The Dennis Barrett Bluegrass Band and Jet Creek are scheduled to perform on the Bluegrass Stage. The Corn Drinkers, Six Cents and a host of songwriters are set for the traditional stage. Additional amusements include square dancing, clogging and a large arts and crafts area.

“The food row will have different types of Appalachian food,” Ritchie said. “And we have an encampment area where people come and do blanket trading.”

Lela Estes of Dayton is president of OCH. She said Mountain Days instills a great sense of pride in Appalachian people.

“We try to have a little bit of something for everybody,” she said. “The door is open, and we welcome all cultures.”

how to go

WHAT: The 2009 Mountain Days Festival

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16

WHERE: Eastwood MetroPark, Route 4 at Harshman Road, Dayton

COST: $7 per person, children ages 5 and younger are admitted for free. Parking is free.

MORE INFO: (937) 781-0663 or www.mountaindays.info. To view the complete 2009 Mountain Day Festival schedule, visit www.mountaindays.info/2009Mountain_Days_Line_Up.htm

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