Evart's Dulcimer Funfest: the world's biggest hammered dulcimer gathering

Every July, the little city of Evart hosts something genuinely one-of-a-kind: the ODPC Funfest, billed as the largest hammered dulcimer event in the world. It’s run by the Original Dulcimer Players Club, a group that goes back to 1963, and it fills the Osceola County Fairgrounds the third weekend of July.

If you’ve never seen a hammered dulcimer, picture a trapezoid of strings played with little mallets — then picture hundreds of players, plus fiddles, guitars, autoharps, and just about every other acoustic instrument, jamming in the open air from morning until late at night. There are stage shows, workshops for every skill level, gospel sings, and on-site camping. People come from all over the country, and it’s one of Evart’s biggest weekends of the year.

You don’t have to play to enjoy it — it’s a friendly, family event. You can find dates and details at evartdulcimerfest.org.