TRAIL OF TEARS AMPHITHEATER WILL HOST EVENT

After three years of sitting idle, the amphitheater at the Trail of Tears State Park is finally being put to use.

"We're ashamed it's been empty that long," said Greg Henson, naturalist, "but we're glad to finally open the theater for public activities."

The first major event will take place on July 11 with Cathy Barton and David Para from Booneville, who will entertain with a free concert of traditional folk music at 4 p.m.

The concert is sponsored by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. It will be held at the amphitheater, which is located directly behind the Visitors Center at Trail of Tears State Park.

Henson said the theater, which seats more than 100 people, has not been used the past three years because of various problems.

"Due to funding and labor deficiencies, we've not been able to open the amphitheater for public use," Henson said. "Unfor~tunately, it's been low on the priority list, and its importance seemed to pale in comparison to other emergency items."

Henson said various problems have hampered the opening of the theater, such as drainage and lighting problems. "We've fixed some of the problems with the water lines," he said, "and we'll be working on lighting this week so that the theater can be used at night."

Another hindrance has been the walkway to the theater, Henson said. "We've put in a temporary path of shredded bark and wood," he said, "and we've been promised a regional crew to get started on a permanent boardwalk this fall, which should be finished by this winter."

Henson said a hard-surface path is needed so that the amphitheater will be accessible to guests with wheelchairs and so that the grounds won't be as muddy.

Another reason for the delay, Henson said, has been other projects.

"A lot of our resources were shipped up to building the Katy Trail," he said, "which has been one of our most highly used parks.

"Fixing up the amphitheater has been contingent on emergencies and other priorities. Unfortunately, we have a small crew and are sorely understaffed. Also, the amount of paperwork has tripled in the last few years."

Henson said the staff includes four full-time workers, along with several seasonal workers.

"The material dollars are not as hard to get as labor dollars," he said. "It all goes back to how much funding the legislators are willing to approve."

The amphitheater was built for public convenience, Henson said. "We've been giving outdoor programs for years," he said, "but with the opening of the theater, we now have an outdoor setting with permanent movie screen set-up and adequate seating."

Henson said the opening of the amphitheater coincides with additional manpower from the East Missouri Action Agency, which sent workers from a Youth Conservation Corps last week.

"They did conservation-type work by helping build a retaining wall and clean up the am~phi~theater," Henson said. "Also, they helped on several other projects, such as putting in the path to the theater."

On July 12, Barton and Para will hold a free concert at Bollinger Mill at 4:30 p.m.

Jack Smoot, historic site administrator at Bollinger Mill, said, "I've seen them in concert, and they have a good rapport with the audience."

He said the two musicians have been playing and singing for some time, and much of their music is specifically about Missouri regions and towns.

Barton is multi-talented, Smoot said. She plays the hammered dulcimer and has also mastered playing the banjo in clawhammer style. Smoot said Para plays the guitar.

Later events at the Trail of Tears amphitheater include a finger-weaving workshop on July 18. Henson said the Native-American skill involves weaving on a small scale to make sashes and other decorative items.

The free workshop will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Only the first 20 people will be signed up, so all interested persons need to make reservations. All materials will be supplied. For more information, call the Trail of Tears office at 334-1711.

Henson said the amphitheater will also be used for nightly programs on Friday and Saturday. In the past, the evening events took place in the auditorium of the visitors center.

"The amphitheater provides a pleasant outdoor experience," he said. "We're glad to finally put it into use."