The 51st Plumb Nellie Days Art & Craft Festival, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 20-21, will once again celebrate the home-spun side of Historic Downtown Branson. A very large tent at the intersection of North Commercial and Atlantic streets will announce when the festival is in full swing.
Few changes have been made since this downtown gala made its debut in April 1960. There are no outhouse races, but the 51st Plumb Nellie Days will boast more than 100 artisans, crafters and food vendors. There will also be pony rides and downtown Branson merchants will host their traditional sidewalk sales May 19-29. The annual “Eccentric Dog Show” will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 21. A notable line up of entertainers will grace the stage where Tony Turner and the All-Stars will wrap up the event with a street dance 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday evening,
“There is one thing that has stayed constant in the 30 years I have lived in Branson,” said Cris Bohinc, executive director for Historic Downtown Branson. “These downtown events are still true to the people that established them. I think Plumb Nellie Days is about creating great memories and it serves as a reminder of Branson's rich legacy.”
The food court will offer fried catfish, kabobs, buffalo burgers and tacos as well as roasted nuts and kettle corn. Art and craft enthusiasts will notice a variety of hand crafted items, more than in the past, according to event planners. Besides woodworks, quilts, clothing, toys, floral arrangements and metal artwork, there will also be a knife maker, rug looming demonstrations and more. Vendor Sherri Blue is among those new to Plumb Nellie Days. That is, new to the business side of it.
“It’s part of my childhood. I grew up in Reeds Spring and we had lots of family all over this part of Missouri,” she said “They would come to town for the festival and we were able to see them and spend time together.”
When Blue moved away and raised a family, none of her holiday visits back “home” coincided with the event.
“My children were never at the Plumb Nellie Days because we visited here during the summer and over Christmas holidays,” she said. “My daughter remembers our telling her about it.”
The family moved back into the area recently, making it possible for Blue and her daughter Wanda Morgan to tout their unique handmade Teddy bears and potholders at this year’s Plumb Nellie Days. Apparently, their enthusiasm was contagious.
“We were sharing our excitement about a vending booth with some other friends and we came up with an idea to all go together and do the event,” Blue said. “We are very excited to be a part of this event and look forward to being a part of it for many years to come.” When the first Plumb Nellie Days art and craft festival was introduced, Branson was in its infancy. Organizers proclaimed that “plumb-nearly” anything was permitted at the festival, which is how it was named. Visitors and vendors took it as an opportunity to act and dress outrageously.
The nearly 3,000 people that attended the first Plumb Nellie participated in cake-walks, horseshoe pitching, hog calling, marble games, mumbly-peg, fishing competitions, outhouse races, live concerts and more. Vintage costumes worn by merchants and locals enhanced the only transportation permitted on Branson streets – horses or genuine antique cars.
“Plumb Nellie is the longest running festival in the Branson community so it means a great deal to keep it fun and family friendly for all to enjoy,” Bohinc said.
For information on sponsorships or vending booths for the 51st Plumb Nellie Days Art and Craft Festival email Historic Downtown Branson: events@downtownbranson.org or call 417-334-1548.
