Participants from the Big Horn Basin are dominant in the lineup at the Fifth Annual Big Horn Basin Folk Festival, which is set for Saturday and Sunday at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis.

The festival showcases the handwork and creativity of Wyoming’s artists, craftsmen, musicians, and storytellers. It’s open to the public without charge. Wyoming’s Year of the Woman and Herstory are a running theme for this year’s event.

Festival music and stage performances by area artists include blues and other favorites, eclectic covers, commentary, spiritual and gospel music and “Genuine Cowbilly” music.

Women in Herstory and the Hear Me Now Storytelling features many members of the Big Horn Basin Storytelling Guild and the Hot Springs County Pioneer Association. Among the presenters will be Jennisen Lucas of Cody and Cathy Ringler of Clark as Lucy Moore.

Activities for kids of all ages will include frog rock painting, rope a steer head, make a leather bookmark (with Von Ringler of Clark) and musical play and sing along.

The Folk Master Craftsmen Demonstrators tent will feature fly tying, lampwork beds and polymer clay sculpture, textiles and weaving, leathercraft (with Von Ringler), rug hooking and weaving, boat and watercraft making and woodturning.

A Food Court will feature a variety of eats on both Saturday and Sunday. Among those displaying and selling their art, wares, and food will be Tim and Ann Bushnell and Lisa Mann, all of Cody, and Katie Williamson of Deaver.

The festival is held the same weekend as the Gift of the Waters Pageant Days. The Pageant tells how the hot springs were given to the state by the Native Americans on the Wind River Reservation. It will be performed starting around 6 p.m. in the area around the Big Spring on both Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Contact bighornbasinfolkfestival@gmail.com for specific inquiries or visit www.wyomingfolkfestival.com for more information.