Summertime Music Festivals in the High Country
Compiled by David Brewer
Top-notch music festivals of all kinds are as close as your backyard. Whether you’re looking to rock out and party down or take the kids and sing along, there are plenty of great musical gatherings right here in the High Country or just a short drive down the road. Grab your blanket, pack your sunscreen, eat a funnel cake, buy a t-shirt and dance like nobody’s watching!
Wayne C. Henderson
Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival
Saturday, June 20
www.WayneHenderson.org
-Location: Grayson Highlands State Park
-Headliners: J.D. Crowe & The New South, Wayne Henderson & Friends
-Tickets: $10 general admission/Free ages 12 and under ($3 park admission)
J.D. Crowe & The New South will be featured at the 15th annual Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition at Grayson Highlands State Park near Mouth of Wilson, Va. The event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Also appearing are Beverly Smith and Carl Jones, Raymond Fairchild, Steve Lewis and Jeff Little with Josh Scott, the Snyder Family and Wayne Henderson and Friends.
Twenty contestants will perform to win a custom-made Henderson guitar. Children’s activities include lariat artist Doug Smith, a magician, music, crafts and games. Concessions, camping available.
Carolina Chocolate Drops
MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove
Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11
www.covecreek.net/docfest.htm
-Location: Old Cove Creek School
-Headliners: The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Doc Watson, The Kruger Brothers
-Tickets: $15 for Friday/$20 for Saturday/ Free ages 12 and under (see website for more ticket options)
Virtually all performers at the 12th annual MusicFest ‘N Sugar Grove have played at the festival before, including Doc Watson, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Kruger Brothers and Steep Canyon Rangers.
As in recent years, The Kruger Brothers will host musician workshops in guitar, banjo, mandolin and bass. Internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Andy Owens will also host a Songwriter’s Showcase. As part of its green initiatives, the festival will welcome the return of local band Southern Exposure’s Solar Stage.
The Grascals
High Country Bluegrass Festival
Saturday, July 25
www.highcountrybluegrassfestival.com
-Location: High Country Fairgrounds
-Headliners: Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Grascals, Darin Aldridge/Brook Justice
-Tickets: $20 in advance/$25 at the gate
The High Country Bluegrass Festival returns to the High Country Fairgrounds this year on a different date, but with another stellar cast of nationally renowned headliners and stellar local support acts including Surefire and Southern Accent.
In addition to the great acts, renowned banjo player Terry Baucom and top-notch fiddler will offer workshops in their respective instruments.
Playhouse Family Music Festival
Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8
www.goPlayhouse.org
-Location: Old Cove Creek School
-Headliners: Sol Driven Train, Big Bang Boom, Lisa Baldwin & Dave Haney
-Tickets: $25 for adults (two-day pass)/$40 early bird family pass (two adults, up to four children ages 2 and up)
Virtually every festival in the area touts a list of activities for the little ones, but the Playhouse Family Music Festival is the only one where kids are the reason for the occasion. Now in its third year, the festival has expanded to two days and is slated to feature more music than ever including performances by Sol Driven Train, Big Bang Boom, the Lazybirds, The Forget-Me-Nots and more, along with tons of children’s activities.
All proceeds from the event will benefit the Children’s Playhouse, a nonprofit children’s museum in Boone.
Dehlia Low
Ola Belle Reed Homecoming Festival
Friday to Sunday, August 14 to 16
www.olabellereedfest.com
-Location: Lansing, N.C.
-Headliners: Blueground Undergrass, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Dehlia Low
-Tickets: $17.50 until June 30/$25 at the gate
Held in honor of one of the Blue Ridge Mountains’ most celebrated female musicians, the Ola Belle Reed Homecoming Festival continues to grow. Now in its third year, the festival’s music lineup is bigger than ever while its price continues to be staggeringly low. This year’s musical guests include Blueground Undergrass, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Dehlia Low, the Whitetop Mountain Band, the Elkville Stringband, Volatile Baby and more.
Keller Williams
Music on the Mountaintop
Saturday, August 29
www.MusicOnTheMountain.net
-Location: High Country Fairgrounds
-Headliners: Sam Bush, Keller Williams, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band
-Tickets: $35 for adults/$30 for students (prices do not include handling fees)
Music on the Mountaintop (formerly Music on the Mountain) will return to the High Country Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 29, to spread great tunes and green initiatives. In addition to the day’s big headliners, lots of local acts will get the stage warmed up including Naked Gods, Do It To Julia, Ample Example, Bafoodus, Hope Massive and many more.
Donna the Buffalo
Daniel Boone Days
Friday and Saturday, September 4 and 5
www.DanielBooneDays.com
-Location: Horn In The West
-Headliners: Donna The Buffalo, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, Upright & Breathin’
-Tickets: TBA
While the event is still in the planning stages, Boone’s new annual festival’s music portion return to the friendly confines of Horn In The West with roots rockers Donna The Buffalo and their loyal fans, The Herd, leading the dance party. Returning to this year’s event will be none other than Larry Keel & Natural Bridge.
