Big South Fork Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival, Saturday, April 30

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is partnering with the Knoxville Track Club to hold three trail runs during the Big South Fork 16th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival. Image courtesy of the National Park.

The Big South Fork 16th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival in Oneida, Tenn. has been set for Saturday, April 30. This year’s event will celebrate the National Park Service’s centennial birthday.

As part of the event, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is partnering with the Knoxville Track Club to hold three trail runs on the Oscar Blevins Nature Trail during the festival. The three-run program includes a one mile kids fun-run beginning at 9 a.m. (ET); then at 10 a.m. there will be a 3.5 mile run and a 7 mile run. Runners may preregister in-person that morning or at runsignup.com/Race/TN/Oneida/OscarBlevinsTrailRunsatBigSouthForkNRRA. All participants will meet at the Bandy Creek “F Loop” picnic shelter thirty minutes prior to start times. This event is free and open to the public.

A diverse range of live music acts scheduled to perform includes bluegrass, traditional Appalachian, singer-songwriter, Americana, clogging, and a flute circle. Scheduled music performances will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Performances:
All Day - ​Smoky Mountain Flute Circle, Lora Blevins Farmstead​
All Day​ - Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club, Lora Blevins Farmstead​
11:00 a.m.​ - The Sweet T’s Clogging, Bandy Creek Amphitheatre
1:30 p.m.​ - The Sweet T’s Clogging, Bandy Creek Amphitheatre​
9:30 a.m.​ - Alora Beth Lowe, Bandy Creek Big Tent​
10:20 a.m.​ - Cowboy Bob Johnson, Bandy Creek Big Tent
11:15 a.m.​ - The Hughetts, Bandy Creek Big Tent​
12:05 p.m.​ - The Coleman Brothers, Bandy Creek Big Tent​
12:55 p.m.​ - The Scott Family, Bandy Creek Big Tent
1:45 p.m.​ - Big Lick Boys, Bandy Creek Big Tent
2:35 p.m.​ - Emory River Thunder, Bandy Creek Big Tent​
3:25 p.m. - ​Ghosts of Gatewood, Bandy Creek Big Tent​
4:15 p.m.​ - The Mockingbirds, Bandy Creek Big Tent​

Other events include plowing and planting demonstrations, children’s activities, interpretative talks, fun runs, bird watching and wildflower guided walks, vendors demonstrating and selling their wares, and food sales. Event activities will occur in the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area, the Lora Blevins home site, and the Oscar Blevins farm. There will be shuttles running between the three sites every fifteen minutes to allow visitors to experience all the activities.

This event is free to attend. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket and bug spray and enjoy a great day of good food and music! A designated bus parking area is available for large groups.

Published April 24, 2016