Fall Creek Falls Mountaineer Festival Draws Big Crowd

  • Saturday, September 7, 2024
  • Earl Freudenberg
Just Country
Just Country

Tennessee’s largest and most visited State Park is hosting the 46th annual Fall Creek Falls Mountaineer festival this weekend. The festival continues Sunday from 9:00 to 5:00. Saturday’s weather was picture perfect at the 89-year-old state park with a temperature near 80 by afternoon.

There were visitors from Ohio, Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee just to name a few. Officials said by mid-afternoon, there were 20,000 to 25,000 enjoying traditional music, handmade crafts, old time competition, and pioneer demonstration. Two stages provided continuous entertainment until dark.

There was plenty to eat, hamburgers, hot dogs, all types of desserts and soft drinks. Officials said it’s all family friendly and free.

Officials said there are nearly 200 booths with all types’ crafts, canned food items, homemade bread and plenty of Tennessee Honey.

Saturday was extra special as the “Just County Band’ based in Dunlap, Tn. celebrated their 40th Anniversary. To mark the occasion Just Country has released a collection of songs recorded at the former Mountain Opry in Walden, Tn.

Members of the group include Eddie and Teresa Camp, Randy Cagle, and Jonathan Massengale.

Also performing this year was accomplished fiddle player Meredith Goins who has been playing for 27 years. The Sequatchie County lady was joined by her brother Forrest Goins, John Shaw, Landon Greer and his daughter Amelia, who is WDEF TV morning news co–anchor.

Fans also enjoyed the bluegrass music of “Hickory Wind” from Morgantown, West Virginia. The group was formed in 1972.

It was a special day for the Brewer family, attending for the first time. The Brewers recently moved to the mountain and are members of the Piney Volunteer Fire Department.

Meredith Goins
Meredith Goins
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