Artists, Fans Return to Another Successful Ocrafolk Festival

Walking down School Road this weekend, you may have encountered a giant puppet parade, had a tarot card reading, watched a magician pull a rabbit from his hat, or seen a multitude of unique, handmade works of art.

And that’s not all. The 2014 Ocrafolk Festival also had events like “Let’s Beat It” (a percussion jam show), performances by world-renowned storyteller Donald Davis, and many unique folk music shows.

Fans of artists, musicians, and the festival in general came from all over the region and country to experience the outstanding event that only Ocracoke could host.

Some tourists conveniently happened upon the festival this weekend, but many more planned their visit to the island around it, and have for years. Overwhelmingly, the island was in the festival spirit.

Many of the artisans, like Lena Ennis, returned to the Ocrafolk Festival this year. As she carefully and assuredly worked on a portrait of a harbor, Ennis explained her passion for the island.

“I come to Ocracoke 10 to 15 times a year,” Ennis said. “When I’m not selling my work, I’m painting here.”

Ennis has come to the festival for 10 years, and says she hopes to keep up her streak.

Martha Johnson, an artist who was based out of Kill Devil Hills, but recently moved to Bat Cave, North Carolina, shares Ennis’s love for the festival.

Johnson has attended seven times, and dubs it her, “favorite festival of the year.”

“I love the music,” explains Johnson, whose booth was situated right across from the Live Oak Stage. “The organizers all have such a positive energy about the festival; it’s such a community event. It’s just so sweet; it’s the sweetest festival I’ve been to.”

Johnson also explains that the festival provides a platform for old friends to get together and catch up.

Artistic director of Paperhand Puppet Intervention, Donovan Zimmerman, proves Johnson right when he takes a break from our interview to catch up with Madeline Holly Sales of Beleza.

Zimmerman had a few grand puppet parades, but he’s wasn’t just here to perform. “I’ll just be enjoying the music and taking the island life in a little bit,” Zimmerman said.

Artists and performers aren’t the only ones returning to Ocrafolk Festival. Many tourists, including the Laughlin family from Washington, North Carolina, say they’ll continue to plan their vacations around the event.

Seth Laughlin says that he, his wife Amanda, and his children, Anabelle and Evan, first came to the festival four years ago.

“We initially came for the variety of music, but now we come for the art, too.” Seth remarks. “The vendors are exceptional. We love the relaxed environment.”

Amanda says they plan to return every year. “This is our family thing.”

Editor's note: Ocracoke Current readers, please welcome our newest staff writer, Madeleine Bishop! Madeleine is a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee school of Communication and Information, and is spending her second summer working on Ocracoke. In the fall she plans to head back to Tennessee to complete her Master's Degree. We're really excited for her to write for us! 

Also, many thanks to Jim Austin, who sent us his Festival photos. Jim was born in Portland, OR, grew up in Denver, Colorado, and lived in Kyoto, Japan. He taught photography and digital imaging at Colorado University and now teaches students worldwide courses in photography, Photoshop, and beginning film and digital imaging at Jim Austin www.Jimages.com