Burl Ives was and is an iconic figure in the annals of American Folk Music and he got his start in the little Illinois town of Newton.

Ives went on to become one of the world's most well-known folk singers and actors, but never lost his hometown ‘folksie’ touch. He recorded more than 100 albums in his career and was called America's Great Ballad Singer by none other than Carl Sandburg. In the 1930's he was an “official hobo”, traveling the country in boxcars, but went on to become an internationally recognized star. A fixture of the nascent “folk scene” of the 40's, 50's & 60's in New York City, Ives became an Oscar winning actor in 1958's Big Country and many other films.

Award-Winning singer/songwriter Barry Cloyd portrays a friend of Ives, Gypsy Davey, who was a hobo and guitar-toting minstrel. Hear ‘Gypsy’ perform many of Burl Ives' most well-known folk songs.

This event is free and open to all. No registration is required. It is sponsored by Gretchen Moore in memory of Charles Moore.

This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For additional information, please contact Samantha at samanthah@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 1701.