Hannibal Arts Council announces special award winners from Hannibal Folklife Festival

HANNBIAL, Mo. — The Hannibal Arts Council recently selected special award winners during its annual Hannibal Folklife Festival. Awards are decided based upon the quality and uniqueness of the exhibitor’s work, adherence to the folklife theme and overall presentation.

Winning Best of Show in the Artist category was Kirby and Lesa Carroll of the Missouri Dulcimer Company from Warrensburg. Kirby Carroll has been building mountain dulcimers since 1984 as a hobby and began building them in 2008 to sell. All instruments are crafted of only Missouri woods. It is not unusual that some of the wood used has been hand-picked from the woods, cut, dried and prepared for use by the artist. His wife, Lesa, plays dulcimer in their booth to showcase the instruments. More information about the Missouri Dulcimer Company can be found at http://www.missouridulcimer.com

First place in the artist category went to Josh McCurdy of McCurdy Pottery from Frankford. The studio is known for its clay jack-o’-lanterns that sell out each year. Visit https://www.facebook.com/McCurdyPotter for more information.

Second place in the artist category was Hayden Woodworking from Vandalia. The three brothers (Dana, Jerry and Mick Hayden) create wood items.

Winning best of show in the food category was St. John’s Lutheran School, which sold its famous cheese soup with proceeds benefitting school programming. Food vendors at the festival must be local civic, church and non-profit organizations with 100 percent of their profits going back into the community through their respective organizational missions. 

The Hannibal Folklife Festival is held annually in October in downtown Hannibal and features traditional arts, performances, foods and community.