At 6pm on May 13th, musician and historian Barry Cloyd returns to the library to present his new program, "Rascals, Roustabouts & River Pirates; Riverboat Days on the Western Frontier." 

This new program takes us back to the earliest days of those hardy folks who managed to wrest a living from the great Father of Waters, The Mississippi River and its many tributaries. From tales of those who were at the mercy of the river as they carried their huge cargoes down the “Ol Miss” in “Broadhorns”, those nearly uncontrollable flatboats, through the legendary tales of the Keelboatmen, such as Mike Fink, to the riotous and boisterous Kings of the River who piloted their Smoke & Fire belching Steamboats to settle, at the time, the Wild West. And we couldn't leave out the Rascals, River Pirates and Riverboat Gamblers in this journey. Our rivers hold so many stories and songs of these times that something new is to be found and enjoyed around every twist, turn and river bend. 

This program blends history and folk music into a unique, informative, and entertaining hour long presentation. This program is free to attend and open to all, no registration or library card necessary.