Published: June 19, 2009 11:44 am      

Jasper County

NEWTON — Newton Folk Festival will celebrate the 100th birthday of Jasper County native Burl Ives on Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20.

Friday night a kick-off dinner and celebration is planned at Stones Throw Golf Course, rural Newton. Featured will be a video presentation and musical performance by Gary Crum, Ives historian and professor at the University of Virginia.

Peterson Park Pavilion in Newton will be the location for free musical entertainment Saturday beginning at 12:30 p.m. Featured performers will be Barry Cloyd, Ashley Lewis, Randy Erwin and Salt Creek.

Saturday evening a barn dance will be held at Peterson Park Pavilion with local musicians Milkhouse Gang pickin’ for your dancing and listening pleasure. The event is free.

In addition to the musical performances, there will be displays of Burl Ives memorabilia and showings of Burl Ives movies.

Ives was born in Hunt City Township on June 13, 1909. He rose to great fame as the Wayfarin’ Stranger and appeared in many films and stage productions.

Following the Newton Folkfest, the Jasper County Fair is set to run June 20 through 27. Musical entertainment at the fair will include Matt Poss & Rolling Thunder at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 20, and The Blue Suede Crew at 8 p.m. Sunday, June 21.

Harness racing at the fair is scheduled at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday and 6 p.m. Tuesday.

In addition, the Jasper County Queen Pageant and Little Miss Pageant will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday; drag races at 7 p.m. Wednesday; tractor pull at 7 p.m. Thursday and 4 p.m. Friday; and a demolition derby at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 27.

The carnival opens Monday, June 22, and will run through Saturday, June 27.

Additional information may be found online at www.jaspercountytourism.com.