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A North Carolina Showcase of BBQ & Music for All Ages

Spruce Pine was founded in the early 1900’s as a center for mining, and today it's a picturesque community of roughly 2,000 residents that’s the perfect spot for planning a North Carolina getaway. While many communities have only one main street, Spruce Pine has two which feature boutiques, restaurants, shops, and more. The city is also a haven for artists, featuring stunning natural beauty and well-renowned art galleries.

 

The Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival has been showcasing some of the best BBQ and music in North Carolina for the past six years. It will take place July 14 - 15, at Riverside Park, which is located just across the river from Downtown Spruce Pine. The event is the primary fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Spruce Pine and includes award winning BBQ vendors, serving up crowd favorites like pulled pork, brisket, chicken, and ribs. Musicians representing a variety of genres will perform including The Dollar Brothers, Carolina Crossroads, Carolina Express, Typical Mountain Boys, Rewind, and Sherry Lovett. Clogging also plays a significant role at the festival and teams from around North Carolina will perform for the masses. Attendees can stop by the art and craft marketplace; it’s a great opportunity to buy one-of-a-kind handmade items. Proceeds from the event go to various local projects, and the Rotary Club of Spruce Pine donates to organizations such as American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. We got the chance to interview Doug Sudduth, a representative for the event, to learn about this all ages BBQ and music spectacular.

 

RAL: How long has the event been running?

DS: This is the 6th year of the Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival!

 

RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?

DS: There have been up to 6,000 attendees depending on the weather.

 

RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?

DS: We see everyone at the event from families with small children to groups of adult friends.

 

RAL: What makes this event unique?

DS: The venue at Riverside Park in Spruce Pine provides an attractive setting right on the banks of the Toe River with trees, grass, walking paths, and more. Our event has a real sense of community with local food and craft vendors, plus performances by regional musicians on the main stage. Attendees will find that additional activities like the antique farm equipment and tractor show, will be held in the nearby park. Parking is convenient and plentiful with continuous shuttle service to and from the lot.

 

RAL: Take me through a day at the event.    

DS: Friday, July 14, 2017

  • 4:00 pm - Gates Open to Public

  • 4:00 pm - Mitchell Co. Transportation Shuttles Begin from Remote Parking Sites

  • 4:00 pm - Artists & Crafts Vendors and Food & BBQ Vendors Open to Public

  • 5:00 - 5:45 pm - Carolina Crossroads

  • 6:50 - 6:20 pm - Barn Burner Cloggers

  • 6:30 - 7:15 pm - Carolina Crossroads

  • 7:20 - 7:50 pm - Barn Burner Cloggers                                                              

  • 8:00 - 9:30 pm - Rewind

  • 10:00 pm - Event Closes to Public - Mitchell County Transportation shuttles available as required.                                                                                       

 

The full schedule for Saturday, July 15, can be found on our website.

 

RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?

DS: We have a great selection of musicians including The Dollar Brothers, Carolina Crossroads, Carolina Express, Typical Mountain Boys, and Sherry Lovett. There will also be some talented clogging teams performing such as The Barn Burner Cloggers, The Mountaineer Cloggers, and Cole Mountain Cloggers.

 

RAL: What dining options will attendees encounter?

DS: Riverside Park is close to several great restaurants in downtown Spruce Pine, all either on Locust Avenue or one block up the hill on Oak Street including Knife and Fork, Tropical Grill, The Spoon, and many more.

 

RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?

DS: A few local options include The Mountain House Bed & Breakfast, Terrell House Bed & Breakfast, Bear Den Creekside Cabins, and Parkview Lodge. Visitors can find some other great options on the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce website, follow the link.

 

RAL: Does the event support a particular cause in the community?

DS: The majority of this year's proceeds will go towards helping to finish the hiking/biking path from Riverside Park in Spruce Pine to the Blue Ridge Parkway, along with improvements on the historic Overmountain Victory Trail. The Rotary Club of Spruce Pine supports a variety of charities such as American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation, and more.

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

DS: The festival is a relaxing experience with great bluegrass and country music. Timeless classics will echo throughout the venue, while patrons shop at the vendors and eat great foods. The goal of the Festival is to provide an environment where people feel at home. Plus, we have the stunning backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains.


For more information about the Spruce Pine BBQ & Bluegrass Festival, please visit the event website.