DILLARD BLUEGRASS BENEFIT FESTIVAL Begins its Second Quarter Century

By Hank Belew, Festival Chair

t seems like only a couple of years ago that we were getting this festival started. And now here we are preparing our twenty sixth event. Many things have changed in the 25 years since the first festival but one thing that hasn’t changed is our desire to gather folks together from all over and have a good time. The festival has grown from having just a few bands and food vendors into a weekend full of the best music, food, arts and crafts and fun that can be put together.

From the beginning our mission was to put on the best festival we could, with the best in regional bands and food, while giving back and helping our community. The proceeds from the festival each year go to many of our local non-profit organizations. Last year we were able to help nine charities who do work in Rabun and surrounding counties.

The bluegrass bands who have performed are some of the best and many have garnered awards from IBMA and SPIGMA. Some have even won a Grammy! This year is no different! On Saturday, our featured band is Nick Chandler and Delivered. Nick and the band are in the second round of nominations for five IBMA awards this year! Both days we’ll have 10 hours of the best Bluegrass to be found in the Southeast.

The food vendors are equally accomplished. Any appetite will be happy as we have a good variety from full meals to sandwiches and lots of sweet items for dessert. We will have a Barbeque Cooking School on Friday and Saturday, taught by Kyle Bryner of the Blue Hound BBQ in Scaly Mountain, North Carolina.

There will be a juried arts and crafts show to feature the talents of regional artists. Items are all handmade and include woodcarving, paintings, leathercraft, handmade soaps, jewelry and much more. The Blue Ridge Activity and Tumbling bus will be there for the kids! Gymnastics on wheels!

We hope to see one and all at the Dillard Bluegrass Benefit Festival. It promises to be another great time this year! Check us out at www.dillardbluegrass.org or on Facebook. As always, we thank our audience for the support. Come and join in the fun at 892 Franklin St. in Dillard, Georgia, August 4th and 5th