Looking for the 2024 festival instead?
Find info on our upcoming event at this page:
2nd Annual Moonshine & Music Festival
WHEN: Friday & Saturday, November 3-4, 2023
WHERE: 125 Village Place, Fairfield Bay, Arkansas, 72088
Benefitting the Children’s Advocacy Alliance
Arkansas Distillery tastings
Artists & Crafters
Live bluegrass music
“Bootlegger Jail”
Our Sponsors
Damascus Liquor, LLC
Full-service liquor store conveniently located between Conway & Clinton, providing all your favorite beer, wine, & spirits.
16000 Hwy 65, Damascus AR 72039
501-335-7186
Petit Jean Fiber
A subsidiary of Petit Jean Electrical Cooperative. Working to build a 100% fiber-to-the-home network to Petit Jean Electric members!
270 Quality Drive, Clinton AR 72031
833-621-1422
This year’s festival will be bigger than ever! Share the excitement as we join Arkansas musicians, artists, crafters, and distillers in Fairfield Bay’s Special Entertainment District to celebrate the unique history and flavors of our heritage.
Our 2023 event will feature food vendors, drinks, distillery tastings, local arts & crafts, live events & activities throughout the festival, as well as a NEW private music venue with exclusive all-day passes available for our world-class lineup of country & bluegrass performers.
Entertainment
FRIDAY, Nov. 3:
Rhonda Vincent
“The Queen of Bluegrass”
Vocalist and gifted multi-instrumentalist, best known for her work on the mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo. A fifth-generation musician who is a Grammy winner and member of the Grand Ole Opry, Vincent’s music honors the traditions of classic bluegrass while also finding room for the more contemporary melodic and lyrical outlook of country.
SATURDAY, Nov. 4:
Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
Country Music Hall of Famer, five-time Grammy-winner, and AMA Lifetime Achievement honoree Marty Stuart began his career in the late 60s touring with Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash before beginning a solo career in the early 1980s.
Also Featuring:
Pam Setser
This folk/bluegrass/country singer has enjoyed the traveling a music life has afforded her. She’s experienced personal highlights including singing for Merle Haggard, and an appearance on “Hee Haw.” She has performed with her family band for Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, performed at a luncheon honoring Hilary Clinton and Tipper Gore and regularly appears at the Ozark Folk Center in her hometown of Mountain View.
Pam currently performs with several groups – The Pam Setser Band, Apple & Setser, Leatherwoods and Ozark Granny Chicks. She also performs as a solo artist.
AWARDS
- 2022 Nominee Americana Artist of the Year, Arkansas Country Music Awards
- 2022 Nominee Acoustic Act for Apple & Setser band, Arkansas Country Music Awards
Roving Gambler Band
Straight from the Arkansas Ozark hills, The Roving Gambler Band has been entertaining audiences for more than 30 years. The band’s goal is to help fans relax and get lost in the music.
Their mission for each performance? “If we can make one person forget their troubles for five minutes our show is a success.”
They began as a group of friends devoted to the idea that bluegrass music should be fun. Their style is a little bit bluegrass sprinkled with country and gospel influences.
AWARDS:
2019 & 2020 Nominee Bluegrass Artist of the Year, Arkansas Country Music Association
The Gravel Yard Band
Listen and be transported back to the days of a country church singin’, and feel the history of American roots music – when the instruments were handmade and the front porch was a stage. Travel into the mountains and down a dirt road, and when you arrive, you can be part of The Gravel Yard.
Their sound can best be described as an eclectic amalgamation of hard driving traditional bluegrass and progressive musicality juxtaposed with a soulful country and Americana flavor, gifting to the bluegrass world a musical footprint unlike any other.
True Country
For over 50 years each, the band members of True Country have played music with their family and friends. So, naturally, the band came together because of their talents, love of music and long friendships. Based in Mountain View, Arkansas, True Country is a popular band to see.
Each band member sings and brings their own unique selection of songs to the stage, so there is a wide variety of styles and arrangements for your entertainment. From country to old rock and rock, instrumental to gospel and beyond, True Country brings a show unlike most bands with plenty of upbeat dance numbers and soulful ballads to please everyone.
Live Bluegrass (General Admission):
Danny Thomas & Whoa! Mule
10am-12pm @ Hungry Hollow
Saturday, Nov. 4
Whoa Mule! Quartet is a string band based out of Mountain View’s Ozark Folk Center. They have received a number of awards ranging from SPBGM “FIDDLER OF THE YEAR” to OFC “ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR.”
The unique style of connecting with the audience, using a simple demeanor and bucolic humor disarms the listener creating an experience to be remembered.
Unkle Dave & Ruthie
10am-12pm @ Grassy Knoll
Saturday, Nov. 4
Performers of Old-Time, Mountain Folk, Bluegrass and Gospel Music, Dave and Ruth began performing as a duet act in 2018.
They have each performed in acclaimed bluegrass ensembles for decades and are regulars at The Ozark Folk Center.
Activities
1. Distiller’s Tent
Meet the folks who run some of our state’s finest distilleries! Whether you’re a social sipper or a craft connoisseur, join us for tastings of Arkansas spirits, exclusive cocktails, and great conversations with members of the Arkansas Distiller’s Guild.
2. Vendor Row
We think our artisan vendors are some of the very finest examples of Arkansas craftsmen (and women!) Shop stunning handmade goods in our special outdoor shopping district along Lost Creek Parkway.
3. Artist’s Glen
The North Central Arkansas Artist League will demonstrate painting techniques using various mediums for your enjoyment. Unique art embracing Arkansas heritage and the moonshine theme will be available for sale. Come watch and meet the artists!
4. Hospitality Tent
Come & mingle with our team at this festival hot spot!
(Located perpendicular to the Distiller’s Tent near the main entrance gate.)
5. Bootlegger’s Lounge
This special zone is off-limits to all but a select few! Enjoy a first-class view of the concert stage, with all the comforts. Space is heated & bar service will be available. If you’ve got a Lounge Pass, you’re free to come and go all day as you please!
6. Hungry Hollow
Enjoy a wide array of delicious meals, snacks, coffees, and other delights at our food truck court! Open through the entire festival, located next to the Conference Center.
7. Grassy Knoll
Sit a spell and enjoy the crisp November air. Be sure not to miss LIVE bluegrass “Picking’ & Grinning” on Saturday morning!
8. Bootlegger’s Jail
If you don’t buy a $5 “revenuer’s badge” at the gate, you could get mistaken for a bootlegger, and tossed in jail!
Try your luck, and you may have to depend on friends & family to bail you out… All proceeds benefit CASA.
9. Termite’s Den
Watch live demonstrations of chainsaw & woodcarving art by our resident festival artist, creator of “Marvin the Moonshiner”!
(By Dock of the Bay & El Poblano’s)
10. The Stage
This gorgeous performance stage boasts front-row VIP seating, reserved seating, and general seating for festival pass holders. Make some memories as you get up close to real-life folk & bluegrass legends!
2023 Admission
General admission will be offered at the gate. Availability of festival passes with concert seating will be first-come, first served.
| Before Oct. 1, 2023 | Starting Oct. 1, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Festival Pass (Fri, Nov. 3): | $75 | $100 |
| 1-Day Festival Pass (Sat, Nov. 4): | $75 | $100 |
| 2-Day Pass (Fri & Sat, Nov 3-4): | $125 (Save $25!) | $150 |
| 1-Day Festival Pass w/EXCLUSIVE Heated Lounge & Bar Service | $150 | $175 |
| 2-Day VIP Reserve Seating for 2 people: | $449 | — |
| 2-Day VIP Travel Package for 2 people: | $799 | — |
- General Admission ($20 at the gate only)
- Festival Pass (includes gate admission & private concert events – wristband required)
- Revenuer’s Badge ($5 at the gate)
- Prices include taxes & fees. 50% of admissions go to Children’s Advocacy Alliance.
Ground Rules:
- Absolutely NO outside food/drink is allowed in the venue.
- ID age verification for alcohol purchases will be strictly enforced.
- Children under 12 enter for free with adult admission. Everyone over the age of 12 must have a day pass for entry. Children must be attended by an adult at all times.
- Festival day pass holders must receive identifying wristbands during gate check-in, granting them full-access to the festival AND private concert venue.
- Service animals are permitted.
What We’re About
We are proud to partner with the Children’s Advocacy Alliance to benefit the vital services they provide in giving counseling, safe haven, and legal support for abused & neglected children, through programs such as Child Advocacy Centers (CAC) and Court-Appoionted Special Advocates (CASA).
Last year’s festival was the first of its kind in the state, with a weekend of music headlined by legendary bluegrass artist Ricky Skaggs and renowned distilleries from across the state. Attracting nearly 4,500 aficionados of craft spirits and bluegrass music, the event raised over $16,000 for the Children’s Advocacy Alliance of Central Arkansas.
Arkansas Distillers Guild
“We aim to set a tone of transparency, both in our organization and in the spirits industry as a whole. We spotlight the true craft of our industry through all points of the manufacturing process, from small scale to large. And we look forward to telling that story.”
Children’s Advocacy Alliance
The Children’s Advocacy Alliance provides hope, healing, and a voice for justice for abused and neglected children in our community.
Follow Us!
Join us on social media at @ozarkmoonshinefest!