<< Back 9/4/02 Heritage committee honors folk culture preservationists SMN During the 75th Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival last month, the Folk Heritage Committee honored Betty Smith and Joe Sam Queen, two of the region’s long-standing preservationists of the region’s mountain folk culture. In recognition of her leadership and engagement in the preservation and perpetuation of the tradition culture of the Southern Appalachian mountains, Betty Smith received the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Award. Smith’s first Mountain Dance and Folk Festival performance was secured in 1962 after sending a taped recording of her singing to the festival’s founder, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, for his review. Forty years later, she is recognized nationally for her accomplishments in writing and singing. Joe Sam Queen was given the Sam Queen Award, established in honor of his grandfather, Sam Love Queen, for his dedication to sharing the graceful and meaningful dance figures found in traditional Southern Appalachian dancing. Joe Sam Queen is a fixture in Haywood County dance circles, whether participating as a member of the Old Time Mountain Dancers, organizing the annual Smoky Mountain Folk Festival or calling the Friday night street dances in downtown Waynesville. In addition to the above honors, Special Recognition Awards were presented to the Stoney Creek Boys, Jo Lunsford Herron, Dick Roberts, and Glenn Bannerman as part of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival’s 75th anniversary celebration.