Thousands of Bluegrass and Country music fans are expected to converge on Maggie Valley, North Carolina, for the 5th annual Hillbilly Woodstock on Friday, August 1 and Saturday, August 2. Admission is $6 per day or $10 for both days.
The musical lineup is comprised of 20 artists, including Joe Lasher Jr., Andy Buckner, SmokeRise, the Ryan Perry Band, Neon Truckers,
Pioneer Chicken Stand and headliner Kaitlyn Baker, who recently released her debut single, "Burn," from an upcoming album on the Silvercreek Records label.
"This is going to be so much fun," Baker said. "Being from southwestern Virginia, I can relate to the mountain lifestyle and people. I'm really looking forward to being there."
More than a music festival, Hillbilly Woodstock is both a serious and humorous celebration of Appalachian culture. The event will feature working moonshine stills, arts and crafts, food and special celebrity guests, including Greg Shook from the TV series "Appalachian Outlaws" on the History Channel. There will also be several cast members of the
Discovery Channel reality series "Moonshiners" such as Mike "Mud Dog" Mitchell, Jim Tom Hedrick, Mark Rogers and Roy Grooms.
"These are real moonshiners who have spent time in jail," said festival co-founder Becky Ramey, laughing. "They'll be selling merchandise and signing autographs. They were among our most popular guests last year, and I'm sure this year will be no different."
Other special guests will also include Shane McCoy and James Hatfield, descendants of the infamous, feuding Hatfields and McCoys, who will perform a lumberjack-themed program. There will also be a car and motorcycle show called "Hillbilly Show 'n Shine." Each of the first 25 "Show 'n Shine" participants will receive a hand-crafted, copper model of a moonshine still.
Hillbilly Woodstock draws fans from around the country, and each year provides an important economic boost to the area. Last year, it was named "Event of the Year" by the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors include Howling Moon Distillery, Sugarlands Distilling Company, Budweiser, Jarden Home Brands (makers of Ball® brand canning jars), Smoky Mountain Steel Horses (Harley-Davidson), and the Maggie Valley Inn & Conference Center.
"There's something for everyone at Hillbilly Woodstock," Ramey said. "It's just hillbillies and rednecks sitting around, having fun. If you're not one when you get here, you will be, by the time you leave!"
Hillbilly Woodstock will take place Friday, August 1, and Saturday, August 2, from 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. at the Maggie Valley
Festival Grounds, 3374 Soco Road, Maggie Valley, NC 28751. Tickets are $6 per day or $10 for both days. All ages admitted. For more information, visit www.HillbillyWoodstock.com orwww.Facebook.com/hillbillywoodstockfestival
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