Left to Right:
Musician, Pam Setser; Festival President, Wilba Thompson; and headliner, Ruby Leigh as seen on “The Voice”
CLINTON, AR. Another successful event is on the books for the Ozark Moonshine & Music Festival. November 1st marked the organization’s fourth annual celebration of “pickin’, sippin’, and dance-hall skippin’” with a host of vendors, food trucks, distillers, activities, and talented live music. Fans of all ages gathered to watch “pumkin chunkin’” with the much-anticipated addition of a new catapult.
Held at the Van Buren County Fairgrounds, the festival marked the switch from a two-day event to one day – a change that brought more guests together to enjoy the lively atmosphere, despite the freezing weather. The venue brimmed with the sounds of banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, and guitar throughout the day, as folk musicians played traditional tunes and guests harmonized in open jam sessions.
On the stage, the all-day lineup of talented country, rock, and bluegrass bands came to a grand finale with inspiring headliner, Ruby Leigh, who stole the show with her dazzling vocals and warm, outgoing personality. At just 18 years old, Ruby is a prodigiously accomplished singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and recording artist, best-known for her debut on season 24 of “The Voice” where she turned all four judges’ chairs.
Ruby is only the latest in a series of world-class headliners to have graced the festival’s stage, which in past years included the likes of Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Rhonda Vincent, and Lonestar. From the start, the festival has been deeply vested in expanding arts opportunities in Van Buren County, from bringing legendary artists to the stage, to enhancing facilities at the Fairgrounds, to offering the popular “Wernick Method” sessions at the event, for hands-on music education for all ages.
The festival also embraced its multi-faceted celebration of Ozark heritage with numerous traditional arts, including live demonstrations of blacksmithing, leather working, and chainsaw carving. At the popular “Moonshiner’s Cove” exhibition, guests enjoyed tastings and conversations with esteemed members of the Arkansas Distillers Guild, who represent the state’s finest innovations in distilling with their award-winning spirits and brews. Visitors learned about the pioneer roots of distilling with exhibits and artifacts, and mingled with celebrities of popular moonshine-themed TV shows, as live podcasts by the Moonshine Militia shared the excitement with a worldwide fan base.
Festival organizers have built a unique coalition of partners and supporters to raise funds for children’s advocacy and community outreach, both locally and for the wider rural community. In the past 4 years, the event already raised nearly $60,000 directly benefitting local programs like CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) which provides a voice for justice for child victims of abuse and neglect; and Children’s Advocacy Alliance, which operates a Child Advocacy Center in the festival’s home town of Clinton.
The celebration of kinship crosses state boundaries with the help of the Moonshine Militia and Appalachian United Initiative, who have joined forces with festival organizers to generate continued support for disaster-stricken families in the rural Carolinas and Tennessee. At the core of the festival’s mission is a passion to give back to the community, provide for kids in need, and celebrate the things that bring us together – and proceeds from this and future festivals will continue to honor these values.
April & Wes Hardin with Appalachian United Initiative
Organizers wish to extend deepest gratitude to this year’s many generous sponsors and volunteers, who make this continued effort possible, with special thanks to valued community partners County Judge Dale James, Clinton mayor Richard McCormac, Clinton Police Department, Clinton Fire Department, and Van Buren County Fair Board for their unwavering support.
The 5th Annual Ozark Moonshine & Music Festival is scheduled for October 2026. For more information and for details on vendor & sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.ozarkmoonshinefest.org.
The Ozark Moonshine & Music Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to preserving our Arkansas moonshine heritage through celebration and education, while bringing hope & healing to children.
Photo Gallery
Take a scroll through some of the incredible moments & memories from our 2025 event!