September brings a unique bluegrass festival to the Smoky Mountains. The Dumplin Valley Bluegrass Festival combines camping, bluegrass music, games and of course fun for a great show and people come early and stay late. The site is set up to host RVers so bring your rig to the show. This year September 15th through 17th, Dumplin Valley will bring the best of Bluegrass to east Tennessee.
Located at 525 East Dumplin Valley Road in Kodak, Tennessee, this event center has plenty of room for camping in RVs, fellowshipping with friends and, of course, room for the concerts themselves. Starting Thursday, you’ll see performances from the likes of Monroeville, Paul Williams and The Victory Trio, The Darrell Webb Band, and Little Roy and Lizzy. Friday, bands taking the festival stage include Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, Lou Reid & Carolina, The Quebe Sisters Band, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, and Jimbo Whaley & The Greenbrier.
Saturday usually brings in a bigger crowd for the weekend performances, and before it slips by, there is a potluck dinner scheduled for Wednesday, September 14 at the pavilion for all the campers coming in on Wednesday. Now, on with Saturday’s performances:
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Daily & Vincent
Balsam Range
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Jerry Butler & The Blu-J’s
Bluegrass Brothers
Along with the music and friendship, there may be ballgames, bubble wrap dancing and much more. You never really know what a bunch of bluegrass fans will do to pass the time. If you are a bluegrass fan you don’t have an option–you have to be there. There are very few times in the year when you have the ability to see this many groups all at one time.
A weekend pass for this event will run you $70 (in advance) – $85 dollars depending on when you purchase your ticket, either before-hand or at the gate. Day prices are as follows – Thursday: $20 (adv) $25 (gate), Friday: $25 (adv) $30 (gate), Saturday: $25 (adv) $30 (gate), children 12 & under get in FREE. These are great prices to see 14 bands and spend time with other people who share your interest. Check out their website: www.dumplinvalleybluegrass.com for updated information. Check Smoky Mountain Lodging sources if you are coming for this event.