Harmony at the harvest:Missouri family prepares for showing at Pioneer Harvest

Jason Silvers/Tribune Photo J.C. Arnold, left, and his family play an impromptu set of songs on Tuesday in front of their camper near the Bourbon County Fairgrounds where the Arnolds are living while in Fort Scott. The Arnolds, who are from Washburn, Mo., are one of the scheduled performers at the music tent during the annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta this weekend.

Arnold and his wife Neva, along with their son, Jon, will perform as one of the musical highlights of the 52nd Annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta this weekend at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. The trio, who are from Washburn, Mo., played an impromptu session on Tuesday in front of their camper at the fairgrounds where the family are living while they are in town.

After watching and hearing the trio play a few songs, local musician Ralph Carlson smiled and applauded.

"That's the true essence of the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta right there," Carlson said. "Music is such a big part of it (the event)."

J.C., who has been performing at the annual event for the last eight years, said he agreed to bring his family back and play once again this year in Fort Scott after being invited by a friend of his who lives in the area.

"We really like it out here," Arnold said. "It's a nice bunch of people. The Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is getting better and better all the time. We always talk about it (Pioneer Harvest) and what we're going to do next year after we leave."

Jon, who sings lead vocals and plays guitar for the band, said he has been involved with the family band since it began eight years ago. Jon said he has been singing and interested in music since he was a young boy.

"Music is in my blood," he said.

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In the band, J.C. sings backing vocals and plays the mandolin, while Neva also sings backing vocals and occasionally plays the keyboard or piano. The family performs a variety of gospel and bluegrass, typically between October and May, at revivals and other events in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, J.C. said.

The Arnolds plan to play several songs on Saturday and Sunday in the music tent at the fairgrounds. Other musical entertainment at the fiesta will include the Fort Scott High School orchestra; Fuss and Feathers, a duo that consists of Carlson and James "Red" Stradley; vocalist and guitarist David Prickett; local musicians Don and Mim Carlson, Lorna Carlton, Floyd Feezell, John Bennett, John Kendrick, the Rooks family, and the Sekanaires quartet.

Music will be performed from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 4:30 on Sunday. Music will begin on Sunday following a church service that morning at the fairgrounds.

This will be the third consecutive year of musical entertainment at the annual Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, a three-day event that features a wide collection of late 19th century and early 20th century tractors, gas and steam engines, and other agricultural equipment.

The event, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday with a parade, also features several other activities taking place at the fairgrounds this weekend.