Some of Stone County’s most talented young musicians will take center stage Saturday, October 24, as the Fall Next Generation Concert returns to the Ozark Folk Center State Park during Mountain View’s annual Bean Festival and Championship Outhouse Races.
The special fundraising concert will showcase award-winning bluegrass and old-time musicians while helping preserve the Ozarks’ rich musical heritage for future generations.
The concert runs from 7 PM until 9:30 PM inside the Ozark Highlands Theater, with doors and the box office opening at 6 PM.
Proceeds benefit the Music Roots program, which provides free traditional music education and instruments to young people throughout the Mountain View area.
FIVE SOUTH HEADLINES NEXT GENERATION CONCERT
Stone County’s own Five South will headline the evening’s entertainment.
The talented young bluegrass group features Kailee Jestice, an Arkansas State Banjo Champion and 2-time state fiddle champion.
The group also includes Jake Ledbetter, Evan Spickes, Littlepage Sims, Mason Spickes, and Chandler Spickes.
Five South has become part of the next generation of musicians carrying forward the bluegrass traditions that helped make Mountain View famous.
The band’s performance will highlight an evening dedicated to young Arkansas musicians who have already earned recognition for their musical accomplishments.
AWARD-WINNING YOUNG MUSICIANS TO PERFORM
The Fall Next Generation Concert will feature an impressive lineup of young performers with state and national awards.
Scheduled performers include:
Five South — Stone County bluegrass group led by award-winning musician Kailee Jestice.
Edward Steiger — Talented young pianist.
Lillyanne McCool — National Old Time Banjo Champion.
The Parker Unit — Featuring 15-time state fiddle champion Mary Parker and 2-time National Mandolin Champion Runner-Up Gordan Parker.
Music Roots Ensemble — Young musicians representing Mountain View and Rural Special Schools.
Harmony — Stone County folk music trio featuring Dave Smith, Robert Gillihan, and Mary Gillihan.
The evening begins with a special performance by the Music Roots Ensemble, showcasing students who are helping keep traditional Ozark music alive.
The veteran folk trio Harmony will also make a special guest appearance.
MUSIC ROOTS PROGRAM HAS HELPED THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES
The concert serves as a fundraiser for the Music Roots program, which has provided free music education to Stone County students for 28 years.
The program offers traditional music lessons, instructors, and loaned musical instruments at no cost to parents.
Students in public schools and homeschool programs can begin participating in 4th grade.
Over nearly 3 decades, Music Roots has served thousands of families while teaching young musicians the traditional sounds of the Ozarks.
Students learn the same folk and bluegrass traditions passed down through generations in Mountain View and the surrounding communities.
The program is funded through the efforts of the Committee of One Hundred for the Ozark Folk Center, Mountain View Schools, Ozark Old Time Traditions, the Mountain View Bluegrass Association, and Ozark Folk Center State Park.
PAM SETSER: KEEPING OZARK MUSIC ALIVE
Musician and Committee of One Hundred Chairwoman Pam Setser says the concerts are among her favorite events of the year because they showcase Stone County’s young talent.
Setser praised the Music Roots program for helping revive the traditional songs and tunes she grew up hearing in Mountain View.
She said seeing young musicians perform and excel at old-time folk music gives her hope that the area’s musical heritage will continue.
Setser is encouraging residents and visitors to purchase tickets and support the program so future generations can continue learning traditional Ozark music.
TICKETS START AT $8 FOR CHILDREN
Tickets for the Saturday, October 24 concert are available in advance.
TICKET PRICES:
Adults: $15
Children ages 6-12: $8
Family Pass: $35
The Family Pass admits 2 adults and children under 18.
Tickets purchased at the Ozark Folk Center theater on the day of the concert will cost $2 more.
Tickets are available online at:
https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/ozarkfolkcenter/fall-next-generation-concert-2026
CONCERT DETAILS:
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Ozark Highlands Theater
Ozark Folk Center State Park
Mountain View, Arkansas
Doors and box office open: 6 PM
Concert begins: 7 PM
Concert ends: 9:30 PM
BEAN FESTIVAL VISITORS CAN ENJOY CRAFT VILLAGE
Visitors attending Mountain View’s Bean Festival and Championship Outhouse Races can also enjoy a full day of activities at the Ozark Folk Center.
The park’s Craft Village and Heritage Herb Garden will be open Saturday, October 24, from 10 AM until 5 PM.
Visitors can experience live mountain music, traditional craft demonstrations, and old-fashioned entertainment throughout the village.
The Craft Village features 20 artisan shops and attractions highlighting the traditions, craftsmanship, and cultural heritage of the Ozarks.
FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE TO DOWNTOWN MOUNTAIN VIEW
Visitors can take advantage of shuttle transportation between the Ozark Folk Center’s lower parking lot and downtown Mountain View.
Shuttles will operate Saturday from 9:30 AM until 4:30 PM, allowing visitors to enjoy Bean Festival activities around the downtown square.
The annual festival brings thousands of visitors to Mountain View for traditional mountain music, beans and cornbread, arts and crafts, and the popular Championship Outhouse Races.
The Next Generation Concert provides another opportunity for festival visitors to enjoy the musical traditions of Stone County.
COMMITTEE OF ONE HUNDRED SUPPORTS MUSIC AND HERITAGE
The Committee of One Hundred for the Ozark Folk Center is an organization of women from across Arkansas who support the preservation of traditional Ozark music, crafts, and culture.
The organization raises funds for programs including Music Roots, craft apprenticeships, the Heritage Herb Garden, and other educational and cultural projects.
Its support helps the Ozark Folk Center maintain its mission of preserving and sharing the traditions of the Ozark Mountains.
For more information about the Committee of One Hundred, visit:
https://www.ofc100.org/
For more information about Ozark Folk Center events, visit:
https://www.arkansas.com/state-parks/explore/parks/ozark-folk-center-state-park
Or call:
870-269-3851
A SPECIAL NIGHT CELEBRATING ARKANSAS MUSICAL HERITAGE
The Fall Next Generation Concert gives visitors an opportunity to hear some of Arkansas’ most accomplished young musicians while supporting a program that has benefited thousands of families.
From championship fiddlers and banjo players to young bluegrass groups and traditional folk performers, the evening will celebrate the music that has made Mountain View the Folk Music Capital of the World.
Organizers hope the community will come together October 24 to enjoy an evening of music and help ensure these musical traditions continue for another generation.
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