Ever opened your eyes on a bright sunny morning surrounded by your closest friends and family to watch quietly as the mist slowly rises off the waters of the Mulberry River?

Heard the trickling of the waters to the distant strum of a banjo or felt the steady beat of a morning drum circle echoing in the air? If not…it is definitely time.

Nestled in the heart of the Ozark National Forest, along the gem of the Mulberry River, rests Byrds Adventure Center just outside of Ozark, Arkansas.

In addition to being the leading ATV park in Arkansas and one of the top canoe, kayak, and raft rental services on the wild and scenic Mulberry River, Byrds Adventure Center is also home to the incredible ByrdFest Music Festival.

This is a campout concert experience unlike any other! Over 800 acres of shaded camp grounds, a large heated shower house, a convenient on-site store with deli, restaurant, stages, pavilions, an extensive trail network, two back country airstrips, rental cabins, plus floating and fishing on the pristine Mulberry River; it’s no wonder that people from all over the country flock to this incredible event!

ByrdFest is in its 9th year and the 18th event in the series.

Concert goers will have the chance to experience a vast array of eclectic musical talent. The next event on May 3+4 will feature four bands performing the music of THE GRATEFUL DEAD, PINK FLOYD, BOB MARLEY, and PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC. There will also be a variety of acoustic music throughout the daytime with Arkansas natives Woody & Sunshine along with Chase Makai and Aaron Hale.

ByrdFest is an experience. That’s why everyone who comes to these events, return year after year. Lets be clear, these are not “cover bands” these musicians have not only mastered the music they perform but in most cases they perform it better than the original acts! Not to mention, most of the original bands don’t even play anymore.

“We want to give people the opportunity to experience the music that so many will never have the opportunity to see.” says Byrd’s Adventure Center owner and operators Zen and Pam Boulden.

Pam’s name before marriage was Pam Byrd. She was raised on that property with the land belonging to the Byrd family going back to the 1800’s.

Headlining this year…

The Schwag will headline the event once again, giving concert attendees an authentic experience of all there is to love about the legendary band The Grateful Dead. This makes their 28th year of performing music and the 22nd year of promoting festivals in the Midwest.

A band of musicians dedicated to carrying on the vibe and music of the legendary band the Grateful Dead, The Schwag was founded in 1991 and have performed over 3000 concerts all over the United States.

Averaging 150 shows a year, this group has a working song-list of over 200 songs from the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band catalog. For four years band leader Jimmy Tebeau also toured the country as the bass player for JGB (Jerry Garcia Band). They have also opened for many note-able acts including String Cheese Incident, Marshall Tucker Band, Leftover Salmon, Sammy Hagar, Little Feat, and Railroad Earth.

For many years they hosted their own Schwagstock music festivals. Drawing crowds of an average of 5000 people per event several times per summer. The band owned the venue Camp Zoe in Missouri where the festivals were hosted. Some of the bands opening for The Schwag at these festivals were George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Keller Williams, Big Brother & the Holding Company, and New Riders of the Purple Sage.

SONS OF FUNK join the stage…

This year ByrdFest is happy to announce that Parliament Funkadelic experience : SONS OF FUNK will be joining the stage as well.

Featuring members of George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic brought to you by drummer of P Funk All stars Rico Lewis and a rotating cast of George Clinton alumni; it’s guaranteed to be one of the funkiest shows in the galaxy!

The Dancing Bear Tribe will also be performing during the shows this year! A Performance Art Collective with a mission to inspire through movement, creativity and authenticity. They have been gracing stages across the globe with their intuitive, heart-lead performances, from LED and fire props to go-go dancing; there isn’t much they don’t do!

“We show time and again that movement is one with music.”

In addition to non stop music, vendors will be selling just about everything from food to arts and crafts, not to mention plenty of Tye-dye. With all of the amenities, this family friendly event offers concert goers a chance to enjoy the company of a vast array of unique, pationed people with a like minded, free spirited and peaceful out look on life.

“You will meet the most incredible and insightful people at Byrd Fest. Everyone is so happy and excited for this event every year, it really brings out the best in everyone every single time we go!” says Annette Finley who has been to the event many times in recent years.

So come be your beautiful self and have the time of your life, with the people you love the most this year at ByrdFest 18!

For More information including tickets, directions, and schedules visit: www.byrdfest.com