The Third Annual White Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival is set for Saturday, July 19, at Tri-State Exhibition Center.
The gates will open at 11 a.m. with music beginning at 1 p.m.
This year’s lineup includes the Nashville Bluegrass Band, the James King Band, the Dismembered Tennesseans, Blue Moon Rising and Hiwassee Ridge.
The festival’s emcee this year is special guest Alex Leach, 14-year-old radio personality from WDVX in Knoxville. Leach has been featured on CMT and is known for his vast knowledge of bluegrass and country music artists and history.
“Alex will be the perfect emcee,” says John Everhart, Bluegrass Committee Chairman. “The committee is so excited about our incredible musical lineup, then to secure a talent like Alex as the host, we’re really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a great festival.”
The event is a non-profit event benefiting Tri-State Exhibition Center. Organizers say this event helps create awareness of the services offered at this facility.
Tri-State is Bradley County’s premiere venue for a variety of community events such as horse shows, rodeos, livestock events, recreational events, agricultural events, and of course, music festivals.
Work continues on the Tri-State Exhibition Center with many improvements since last year’s festival.
“We had a huge crowd the first year, upwards of 3,000,” Everhart explained. “The heavy rain kept some away last year, but the pavilion is covered so there’s no reason to miss this great event rain or shine.”
Vendors will be on hand to provide food, drinks, and merchandise. “Shade tree pickers” are welcome to bring instruments and meet up with fellow musicians in the “Pickin’ Barn”.
Those attending should bring lawn chairs and an appetite for great bluegrass music.
Admission for the festival is $10 per car load.
Several area businesses are sponsoring this event. The Bull Fiddle sponsor is First Tennessee. Bradley Memorial Hospital is the Banjo sponsor. Flat Top sponsors include Bank of Cleveland, Fletcher Bright, Bender Realty, KFC of Cleveland and Mandolin sponsors are Varnell Burns & Sharp, Cleveland/Bradley Convention & Visitors Bureau, Check Into Cash.