Anthony Cloud
Staff Writer
The Wilderness Trail Off-Road Park will play host to the Bluegrass on the Mountain Festival on Saturday. Music will begin at 1 p.m. and continue late into the evening. The concert and event area will be about two miles past the trailhead bridge on the right.
The event is headlined by bluegrass singer Ricky Skaggs. It will also feature local talent including Common Strings, Tazewell Pike, Crosspoint, Crossroads Gospel Bluegrass Band and children of the Cumberland River Music Academy.
Tickets to the concert/event area are $20 for adults, $5 for kids age 6-16 and children under five get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate the day of the concert.
“Bluegrass and gospel music is something our area is very proud of,” said Bell County Judge-Executive Albey Brock. “It’s entwined in the fabric of our people and is something the people of our region have always been both exceptionally skilled in and drawn to. We’re really excited about the event and hope it can turn into a yearly occurrence.”
Adventure Tourism Director Jon Grace said the event took off after the idea was brought up by Brock. Grace said he loved the concept of the festival.
“Having it at Wilderness Trail Off-Road Park, with those amazing views in the background…you couldn’t ask for a more breathtaking scene for an event like this,” said Grace.
The event area will have food vendors and inflatables for children. No coolers or ATVs will be allowed within the event and concert area. There will be ATV parking directly beside the concert.
People are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or something else to sit on.
Brian Fisher of Fisher’s ATV World will be on hand to film for an upcoming episode on the Outdoor Channel.
“Our travels take us all over the country for filming our television show and we look forward to coming back to Bell County every year,” said Fisher. “They’ve got some of the most beautiful riding and you’re surrounded by lots of really good people. I compare this place to riding out west, and the best part is it’s free to camp and ride.”
There will be a kid’s fishing tournament, sponsored by Imperial Bait and Tackle of Middlesboro, at the Sam Low Pond at noon. Prizes will be given to the child who catches the most fish. A prize will be given to the child who catches the biggest fish as well.
Children must be 12 or under to compete and must be accompanied by an adult. It is free to enter the contest.
For more information visit www. wildernesstrailoffroadpark.net or contact Grace at jongrace@bcje.com or 606-499-0567.
Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-248-1010, ext. 208, acloud@civitasmedia.com
Say, we aren't spending our Fire Protection Fund on any of this - are we? Or would fiscal court prefer not to talk about that?