On August 1, 2024, the opening night of the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, the Folk Heritage Committee presented Carol Peterson with the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Award. This award honors the commitment she and her late husband, Bruce Peterson, made to the mission of promoting and preserving the music, dance, and storytelling of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

When Bruce and Carol saw a need, they met it. Whether it involved storing and transporting crowd control barriers, seeking grant opportunities, chairing a subcommittee, or performing on one of several smooth dance teams they directed, choreographed, and led, they worked as a team to “git ‘er done”!

Always cheerleading to and for the Folk Heritage Committee they made tough times bearable and good times even better.

It was an honor for the Folk Heritage Committee to dedicate this award to performers, members, and advisors, Bruce and Carol Peterson.