The annual Kings Prairie Music Festival and Craft Show will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, on the grounds of the historic Kings Prairie Schoolhouse, southeast of Monett.

Sponsored by the Kings Prairie Community Association, a non-profit organization, the event, which has run almost every year since 2000, provides a celebration of rural life and the oldtime music characteristic of pre-industrialized southwest Missouri.

Proceeds from concessions and donations go toward preserving and utilizing the school building that dates back to the 1940s, located on the site of earlier schools serving the Kings Prairie community.

The schoolhouse itself has recently undergone significant renovations and now has fresh siding. Organizers plan to work on the building’s interior next. Their future focus will turn to developing new restrooms, switching from the design started several years ago.

With an earlier start, activities will not run as late as 8:30 p.m., which has been a tradition at the event, when bands were joined by cicadas participating in the evening serenade. Those attending are still urged to bring lawn chairs.

Following up on last year’s expansion into a day-long event, the craft show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the school grounds. Lunch will be available beginning at 11 a.m. Organizers will begin serving barbecued chicken dinners and homemade desserts, beginning at 4 p.m. into the evening.

The performance schedule will include Neva Welters playing her hammered dulcimer, beginning at 10 a.m. Mark Shell, offering gospel and country selections, will play at 1 p.m., followed by the gospel band Sanctify at 2 p.m., and Ruby Cook at 2:30 p.m.

The evening show will begin at 4 p.m. and feature Angela Meyer, who has performed at the First on Front concert series in Monett. Local bluegrass band husband- wife team Creek’s Arisen’ will play at 4:30 p.m., and the popular Flyin’ Buzzards band will end the show at 6 p.m.

Tyson Foods has donated chicken for the dinners. Numerous businesses have donated gifts that will be given away in raffles throughout the day.

Admission is free. Donations will be appreciated. The school is located at 11760 Farm Road 2015, south of Hwy. 60 and a quarter mile west of the New Liberty Church on Hwy. Z.

Late vendors are welcome and may contact Jaysa Isbell at 417849-1779. The event is sponsored by the Kings Prairies Community Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the historic Kings Prairie school.