The Oly Old Time Festival

03/12/2025

So many smiles!

03/12/2025

Some lovely OOTF 2025 people ❤️.

03/12/2025

Such fun dances this year!!!

03/05/2025

Such a monumental voice…

Ola Belle Reed (1916–2002) was a trailblazing bluegrass singer, songwriter, and banjo player.

The descendant of settlers to the New River Valley area of western North Carolina who arrived in the 1760s, Reed grew up in a family steeped in the musical heritage of Appalachia. One of thirteen children, she learned her style of clawhammer banjo from an uncle.

After her family resettled in northeastern Maryland during the Great Depression, Reed popularized her distinctive style by performing in music parks and picnic grounds for Appalachian migrants to the region. She founded the New River Boys with her brother Alex, recorded music for Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, and performed at the 1969 Smithsonian Folklife Festival (pictured).

Throughout her life, Reed was a passionate performer and promoter of the mountain music she loved.

Learn more about Reed and other National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellows in our Masters of Tradition story map: s.si.edu/storymap

Photo by Diana J. Davies, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives

02/16/2025

02/15/2025

Tonight! Dances, crankies, lounge acts and more!!!

02/14/2025

Tonight’s events! Lounge Acts, the Main Concert, a Square Dance and more!