Yee-haw, spring is here and that means it is time once again for the Gays Mills Folk Festival of Music and Dance, on Mothers’ Day weekend, 2015. The 23rd annual festival takes place May 8, 9 and 10 in beautiful Gays Mills, Wisconsin.

The festival starts Friday evening, May 8 with an old time square dance in the old Gays Mills Community Building at 212 Main Street. The dance starts at 7 p.m., all dances are taught, and all ages are welcome.

On Saturday, May 9, activities for the whole family start at noon in the park by the Kickapoo River. Afternoon activities include an open stage (bring your talent), workshops, Maypole dance and the ever-popular fiddle bee.

The Saturday evening concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the old Gays Mills Community Building. Kicking off the concert will be the rural-infused songs of singer-songwriter Whitney Mann, who has opened for such country luminaries as Loretta Lynn and the late George Jones. From LaCrosse, we have the string band Pigtown Fling, who play everything from traditional fiddle tunes to Western Swing and pub rock. And headlining this year is the high-energy duo Switchback playing a mix of rocking ‘American roots and Celtic soul.’ There will also be a special guest appearance by the Oak Apple Morris dancers of Madison, and the concert will be MC’d by Viroqua’s own Yellow-Bellied Sapsuckers. There is something for everyone.

As always, the Folk Fest winds down with a good old-fashioned Gospel Sing on Sunday at 11 a.m. in the riverside park. Also, be sure to check out all the concurrent Gays Mills Spring Festival events, including antique tractor pull, Sunday pancake breakfast, and many more.

Ticket prices for the Gays Mills Folk Festival are $5 for the Friday night dance ($2 children), $17 for the Saturday night concert ($5 children). All park activities are free. More information may be obtained by calling 608-632-2720 or visiting the festival website at www.gaysmillsfolkfest.org.

The Gays Mills Folk Festival is a project of the Kickapoo Cultural Exchange.