“Color the Memories”

May 5-6, 2023

5th Annual Mountain View Iris Festival

The Mountain View Iris Festival began a life of its own in September 2016. Pat Cash (Mountain View’s Aunt Minnie) and Karen Avey shared a mutual love of irises. Karen began by growing tall bearded irises for friends to enjoy. She then set a goal of cultivating and protecting an array of tall bearded iris varieties in the beautiful Ozark mountain community of Mountain View, Arkansas. Aunt Minnie, a gifted humorist who has always promoted community, volunteered to promote the budding non-profit dream shared by the two friends. Let the letter writing begin! Karen had grown Schreiner irises for years. She wrote a letter and asked for an iris donation to start a festival in Mountain View. Liz Schreiner Schmidt wrote back to say she loved our letter and how many would it take to start downtown. Thanks to the generosity of Liz and the Schreiner family, the Mountain View Iris Festival got it’s kick start and we were off and running!

In late September 2016, Schreiner’s Iris Gardens donation of hybrid iris rhizomes arrived. Two Arkansas iris growers, Nanna’s Iris Gardens and Ozark Iris Gardens also donated iris. Teresa Cheatham, Modern Woodmen Insurance, came forward to secure funding for additional iris hybrids. We were thrilled, but it was September and we had to work fast! Without hesitation, Aunt Minnie, Karen and Teresa went to work recruiting volunteers, securing city and county endorsements, estimating funding requirements, and seeking potential resources. From the first planting of tall bearded irises in Mountain View, additional volunteers have joined to work year-round maintaining the iris gardens, fundraising, and expanding city and county beautification projects.

Time to write letters again.

Karen wrote ColMet Manufacturing in Garland, Texas for a donation of steel edging. ColMet sent enough edging to install around the perimeter of the Stone County Courthouse, Mountain View City Hall, and other iris gardens in our community. “Whoopee” is the only word to describe the blessing from ColMet! We had iris, edging, dirt, and iris rings. We rented a sod cutter and men were selected to help us lay the edging. In about two weeks, we had landscaped around the courthouse perimeter, installed iris rings, and planted the new iris rhizomes.

When we completed the work, the grateful men said, “Thank you for asking us to help in your project. We were feeling hopeless sitting around!” Those words struck a chord! We quickly understood our iris dream might have a greater impact on our community than realized. Since 2016, several community groups have come forward to work with us. We know community programs impact the lives of disabled Americans, veterans, court appointed community service individuals (both youth and adults), and residents.

We embrace the opportunity to help others nurturing “life in our community” as well as plants in our gardens. We have found that nature and mankind thrive on most days participating in goal-oriented tasks. As young students helped to plant iris on another day they said, “We did not expect this to be fun!” Volunteers who hope to have an impact on a community often find the community having more of an impact on themselves!

Mountain View’s first iris festival was hosted in May 2018. Residents and visitors were delighted with its success. Please join us May 5-6, 2023 as folks gather to view and purchase varieties of tall bearded irises. Please don’t miss the COAA, Carousel Organ Association of America, and AMICA, the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association who will rally on the courthouse square for the fourth year. They travel from across the United States to play the “Happiest Music on Earth.” Rally members showcase mechanical and technical innovations spanning hundreds of years. Visitors of all ages may step forward, meet the members, and enjoy this special music on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

All

the colorful sights delight the eyes while spring in the “Comfort Zone” of Mountain View soothes the soul! Visitors of all ages are welcome, and events are free!

Event Schedule Friday:

• 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

• 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

• 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

MVIF Iris Sales (Behind the Stone County Courthouse)

COAA and AMICA play carousel music on the courthouse square

Mountain View Arkansas Crazy Quilters will host a quilt show (Visit the Arkansas Craft School Showroom at 101 N. Peabody Ave.)

• 7:00-9:00 p.m. Music on the Courthouse stage featuring The Finley River Boys playing Bluegrass, country, and gospel music (Don’t forget your lawn chairs.)

• Festival Garden Walk – Corners of Knox and Webb Streets (Open dawn to dark, ½ mile walking path to be enjoyed by all ages. “Stretch, walk, and breathe some Ozark Mountain Air.”

Children’s photo opportunities and activities in the park.

• 9:00 am until close. Experience Mountain View’s downtown shopping and dining, visitors say, “Friendliness is found all over town.”

Note: Alternate plans have been made in case of rain, most events will be held rain or shine!

Event Schedule Saturday:

• 9:00 am to 2:00 pm MVIF Iris Sales (Behind the Stone County Courthouse)

• 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Car Show - Corvettes and Hot Rods Welcome! Begin parking at 8:00 am with judging at 10:00 am and award presentation at 12:30 pm. Donations will benefit Blue Line Outreach in Mountain View, Arkansas.

• 10:00 am to 4:00 pm COAA and AMICA play carousel music on the courthouse square

• 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Mountain View Arkansas Crazy Quilters will host a quilt show (Visit the Arkansas Craft School Showroom at 101 N. Peabody Ave.)

• 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Children Paint Iris on Canvas at the Courthouse. A real hit with the children, and materials are furnished.

• 12:00 pm to 4 pm Mountain View Iris Society Iris Show and Photo Contest at the “Mountain View Meeting Place” located behind the Wildflower Bed & Breakfast, 106 E. Washington St.

• 7:00-9:00 p.m a festival favorite street dance. Featuring Dixon Street Band, a classic country band playing real country music! Dance on the Stone County Courthouse square. (Don’t forget your lawn chairs.)

• Festival Garden Walk – Corners of Knox and Webb Streets

(Open dawn to dark, ½ mile walking path to be enjoyed by all ages. “Stretch, walk, and inhale Ozark Mountain Air.” Children’s photo opportunities and activities in the park.

• 9:00 am until close. Experience Mountain View’s downtown shopping and dining. Visitors say, “Friendliness is found all over town.”

Note: Alternate plans have been made in case of rain, most events will be held rain or shine!

For inquiries of any sort:

• Advertising

• Feedback

• A man wanting to join in this adventure

• Calendar notices (of interest to lots of people) for the coming months email: mt.viewhappenings@gmail.com or mail to: Casual Country LLC, P.O. Box 1777, Mountain View, AR 72560.

• Submitting an article for consideration, etc..