Annual Blue Grass Festival
The 2008 Festival
Bluegrass music at its finest will be presented July 18-19, 2008 when fans from across the south gather at Rogersville Recreation Park for the 7th Annual Bluegrass Festival. The three day event will include live performances, crafts booths, a shade tree band contest, prize giveaways, and food vendors. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the day.
Contact: Rogersville Visitors and Information Center Rogersville@ainweb.net 256 247 9449
Location: Lee Street and Wheeler Street (Alabama Highway 207), Rogersville, Alabama.
Facilities: RV and camping sites available both on site and at Joe Wheeler State Park
Admission: Free for Thursday event, Admission for Friday and Saturday
Rogersville Bluegrass 2007 Information
Bluegrass Advertisement
2007 PHOTOS
The 2007 Festival
The sixth annual Rogersville Bluegrass Festival was held from Thursday through Saturday, July 19-21. Thursday night’s kick-off ceremony started with the first annual Miss Bluegrass Pageant beginning at 3 p.m. This event featured several age categories from babies through teenage. At 5 p.m. the U.S. flag was raised with the national anthem. Performers on Thursday night included Senior Jammers, Marlow, Dennis Odem & The Country Legends Band, The Calvarymen and Bluewater Band with Haley Behel. Several stores in the downtown area remained open late and offered sales. On Friday and Saturday, activities were at the Rogersville Recreation Park. Friday’s opening ceremony was held at 12:45 p.m. Friday’s activities concluded at 10 p.m. Saturday’s opening ceremony featured a posting of the colors by two local soldiers at 9:45 a.m. Bands played until 10 p.m. that night. Entertainment on stage was provided by The Huntley Sisters, The Hallmark Family, Crosswalk, Southern Heart, Dennis Odem & Country Legends, Dollar Mountain Bluegrass, The Weathers Family, Southern Strangers, Iron Horse, Alabama Grass, The Ward Family, Fast Forward, Full Circle, Rank Strangers, and Hurricane Creek. The winners of the Shade Tree Band competition were Stone Cold Bluegrass-1st place; Five Hearts-2nd place; and Bluewater Creek Bluegrass-3rd place. The buck dancing youth competition winners were Katie Huntley-1st place, Tori Huntley-2nd place, and Lexi Huntley-3rd place. Adult winners were Trish Wilson of Athens-1st place, Anthony Sharp of Lexington-2nd place, Larry Killen-3rd place.
Several bands performed on Friday and Saturday and some performed twice on Saturday. Donation buckets were placed at the kickoff celebration and the festival to accept contributions for Ricky Abernathy who was severely injured by fire at his home. Jam sessions were held throughout the shady areas of the park. Food and arts and crafts vendors were located throughout the park. A cash drawing was held at the park at the end of each night. Admission for Friday was $6 and for Saturday $8. Based on ticket sales, the estimated attendance at this year’s event was 3,000, including 90 stage band members, and numerous staff personnel and vendors. All 30 campsites were rented.
Everyone had a great time. Visitors for this year’s festival came from as far away as the state of Washington. All activities were sponsored by the Rogersville Area Chamber of Commerce and supported by the Town of Rogersville.
Gayle Littrell, President of the Rogersville Area Chamber of Commerce, expressed thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make the festival a tremendous success. Many hours were spent in planning and preparing for the event.
See you next year!!
Rogersville Bluegrass Festival History
The Annual Rogersville Bluegrass Festival began as a dream of the late John P. Roberson. Mr. Roberson was a council member and Mayor of the Town of Rogersville for many years. Mr. Roberson led the effort to begin the 1st Annual Rogersville Bluegrass Festival that was held in July 2002. The first festival was just a one day (Saturday) event held under the trees of the Rogersville Recreation Park. The initial committee was comprised of John Roberson, Anita Roberson, Morris Lentz, Doris Cosby, Ethelene Haraway, Doug Burchell and Chris Crumbley.
A small portable stage was erected by Mr. Doug Burchell and sound system was donated by Morris Lentz. Several local bluegrass bands were contacted by Ethelene Haraway which made for a very enjoyable event.
In 2005, the Town of Rogersville erected a beautiful outdoor stage under the direction of local area carpenters. Those carpenters that donated their time and talent were Bob Blanks, Jerry Garner, Duke Williams, and Jesse Gorrell. This new stage made for a beautiful setting for the festival.
In 2006 the Town of Rogersville once again invested thousands of dollars in the development of a new campground area which in 2007 was completed. This development included hook-ups, dumping station and a level area for campers to park and enjoys the festival.
Over the years, the festival has been instrumental in raising money for various civic organizations in the town. The Rogersville Volunteer Fire Department was able to purchase a new fire engine due to proceeds from the festival. In addition, the local LCHS band raised funds along with the Rogersville Senior Center, LCHS baseball team and other civic organizations.
In 2005 the festival was extended to a two day event with performers coming to entertain late in the day Friday and all day Saturday. In 2006 the festival was extended to a three day event with the local chamber of commerce kick off event held on Thursday along with the Friday and Saturday events.
Over the years the festival has seen continued growth. This year saw the biggest crowds yet to attend the festival. In addition, the Alabama Bluegrass Association stated the Rogersville festival was second to none in its facilities, hospitality and entertainment. Next year’s festival should prove to be as successful as those in the past due to the hard work of many volunteers in the community.