Eye On Magazine April 2021

Kimberlee Dannette Thomas is a Chandler, Oklahoma native. She relocated to Jackson County in 1986. She has five children, five grandchildren, is co-owner and creator of Eye On Magazine. She is recognized from her years of co-hosting on many Cable Channel 15 & 6 broadcast with Bud & David Black. She earned her Associates from ASUN in Fine Arts.

Celebrating the Bearded Iris

What could be more intoxicating to our inner child than the sounds of a Carousel organ? Perhaps the sound accompanied by the beauty of the instrument itself all laid out on a backdrop of stunning bearded irises everywhere you look!

My friends we are all in for such a delight. Thanks to the efforts of Karen Avey, Pat Cash a.k.a. Aunt Minnie, and a host of volunteers. When Karen retired in 2015 she renewed her acquaintance with Aunt Minnie. They discovered they had a common love for the beauty of the bearded iris. Aunt Minnie had dreamed of hosting an iris festival in Mountain View for some time. Karen meanwhile enjoyed cultivating and preserving new varieties of tall bearded irises. Together they brought their dreams to bloom. Karen planted the premiere iris garden at Aunt Minnie’s residence. Since then volunteers have planted irises at the courthouse, city hall, various business locations, parks and other green spaces for the past five years.

According to Karen, Stone County has a tradition of community service and intergenerational teamwork. She notes that county and city administrators have been supportive and displayed confidence in the volunteer gardening efforts. Karen said, “Good will and hard work culminate in the success of most projects. It is healing and rewarding in more ways than may be explained here.”

Everyone’s hard work and determination proved successful and Mt. View hosted its first annual Iris Festival in 2018. It was deemed a success by all in attendance and added on more wonderful reason for visitors to come from far and wide. The festival is held annually the first weekend of May. Visitors of all ages are welcome and all events are free.

April 30th will mark the beginning of this year’s festivities. Visitors can gather to view over 200 varieties of tall bearded irises. The colors promise to delight the eyes, while the “comfort zone” of Mountain View soothes the heart and soul.

Friday and Saturday will be filled with wonderful attractions. From 10am to 4pm both days you can soak up the sounds of The Carousel Organ Association of America. They will rally on the courthouse square for a second year bringing special mechanical music, described as “Some of the happiest music on earth!” This is indeed a once in a lifetime opportunity to view and listen to the mechanical organs. Karen dares you to, “enjoy this music without flashing a smile!”

Festivities will also include the Mountain View Iris Society’s Iris Show and photo contest, iris garden tours and plant sales. You can start your own iris garden with specimens purchased at the festival.

There will be activities for the children with, “Painting Iris on Canvas” beginning at 10am on Saturday on the courthouse

lawn, materials will be furnished. This will be followed by the Children’s Parade of Art at Noon.

For the car show fans the “Corvette Posse of Central Arkansas” will be displaying their colorful classic cars on the west side of the courthouse square Saturday morning at 9am.

Mountain View Merchants will be showcasing a variety of gifts, foods and handcrafted merchandise.

Karen shared, “Our community proudly remains the Folk Music Capital of the World.” She encourages everyone to bring their lawn chairs to the courthouse stage Friday and Saturday before 4pm to enjoy the music. The weekend will wind down Saturday evening at 7pm with a street dance located to the west of the courthouse.

Mark your calendars now! You are not going to want to miss this dazzling display of Bearded Iris blooms, carousel organs, Corvettes, Iris art and all the Third Annual Iris Festival has to offer. For event updates visit www.mountainviewirisfest. com. N