Third Annual Mountain View Iris Festival – April 30-May 1, 2021
A dream becoming a blooming reality! The dream of the Mountain View iris volunteers was to cultivate and protect an array of tall bearded iris varieties in the beautiful Ozark mountain community of Mountain View, Stone County, Arkansas. On this Third Annual Mountain View Iris Festival weekend, April 30-May 1, 2021 people will gather to view some 200 plus varieties of tall bearded irises. The colors delight the eyes while Spring in the “Comfort Zone” of Mountain View soothes the soul! Visitors of all ages are welcome, and all events are free!
The Carousel Organ Association of America will rally on the courthouse square for the second year. They travel from across the United States to Mountain View, bringing special mechanical music to play some of the “Happiest Music on Earth.” Rally members showcase mechanical and technical innovations spanning hundreds of years. Visitors of all ages may get a chance to step forward, play a song, and smile. There are no guarantees they will return to Arkansas next year, so come out to experience their special brand of musical hospitality!
Saturday events include the Mountain View Iris Society’s Iris Show and photo contest at the Mountain View Meeting Place, iris garden tours, plant sales, and gardening booths. There will be a children’s art activity on the courthouse lawn “Painting Iris on Canvas,” (materials furnished) beginning at 10 a.m., followed by the “Children’s Parade of Art.” Children may participate in gardening activities, dance, and music on the square. For Corvette fans, the “Corvette Posse of Central Arkansas” will host a car show on the west side of the courthouse square. Mountain View merchants will be open both days for a special shopping experience.
Music and dance events are scheduled on Friday and Saturday. Bring your lawn chairs! Friday evening music on the courthouse stage begins at 4:00 p.m. The “Gravel Yard Band” will perform at 4:00 p.m. followed by the “Courthouse Orchestra” at 7:00 p.m. Saturday evening music events begin at 4:00 p.m. “Band 358” on stage followed by the “Zyndall Raney Band” at 7:00 p.m. for a street dance on the west side of the courthouse.
Special thanks to our festival sponsors “Mountain View Chevrolet Hillbilly Handy,” “Citizens Bank,” Modern Woodmen of America, and the “City of Mountain View.” For updates on event details please visit mountainviewirisfest.com. For travel information visit yourplaceinthemountains.com.
Cathy Drew is a lifelong resident of the region that she loves to promote. She was born in downtown Batesville in the late ’60s, located in one of the eight counties she now enjoys encouraging people to visit.
Drew became associated with the Ozark Gateway Region in 1990 while working at the ad agency (The Media Market Inc.). The agency handled marketing for the regional association, where she and her co-workers produced an annual tabloid publication. She began working as the Ozark Gateway Region director in June 2000.
After Drew became director, she took the region to the next level by helping the tourism organization create a new website and moved it from the old newspaper paper tabloid publication to a color magazine format. She helped open a visitor center for the Ozark Gateway, allowing visitors to pick up information from the entire state 24/7. Over the years, Drew has helped the organization meet new marketing goals, such as in- and out-of-state marketing, assuring that all 100,000 copies of their magazines are distributed each year.
In 2016, she assisted in creating the first Ozark Gateway Region Golf Classic. The tournament continues to grow each year, allowing the organization to expand its co-op program and helping each county have dedicated promotion. Drew stays busy at Ozark Gateway as the ad sales manager, magazine editor, day-to-day office operations, trade show representative, and magazine distribution representative, all while ensuring that the region is represented all over Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Drew was featured in several local and statewide publications over the years, as well as the 1997 cover of the Ozark Gateway Region tabloid, along with her then 4-year-old son, Jon. She has received several awards, such as the Batesville Rotarian of the Year in 2010 and a three-time Paul Harris Fellow.
She also has served as an Independence County election commissioner for several years. She now serves as their co-election coordinator, helping with behind-the-scenes management of voting equipment, day-to-day election deadlines, and poll worker training.
Drew is Batesville Rotary Club Past President, and is the Rotary Clubs’ current membership chair.
In March of 2018, Drew was honored with induction into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame for her many years of dedicated service to the tourism industry.