Darin & Brook Aldridge--a North Carolina bluegrass duo--host the yearly Aldridge Bluegrass Festival. Bluegrass acts from across the state and region travel to play at this two-day festival. The event is a rain-or-shine event, as musicians play under large tents to keep out rain and extreme heat. The festival starts with an evening "jam session," during which musicians gather to play folk and bluegrass tunes together. Festival performers spend the next two days performing. Camping and parking are free and children receive free admission. The festival takes place in mid-spring every year.
Aldridge Bluegrass Festival
5799 Coot Williams Road
Cherryville, NC 28021
704-447-5090
catawbavalleymusicrevival.com
This two-day, mid-spring festival takes place in Newton, North Carolina, and dubs itself a heritage, music and pottery festival. The event attracts country, folk and bluegrass musicians from across the state, as well as storytellers, potters and other types of artists. The point of the festival is to share art, according to the Charlotte Observer, and the art and music involved in the festival carry the essence of the North Carolina/Appalachian style of music. Attendees can walk by dozens of vendors and purchase art from local artisans.
Music and Mud
Newton-Conover Auditorium
P.O. Box 1354
Newton, NC 28658
828-464-8100
newton-conoverauditorium.org/
This annual Charlotte festival attracts about 75,000 people every year and is known for showcasing some of the best blues talent in the country. Interactive barbecue cooking demonstrations, barbecue contests and more are what make this festival one of the biggest events of the year in the Charlotte area. And it's free. Blues, Brews & BBQ is a celebration of southern heritage, culture, music and diversity and attracts people of all religions, races and backgrounds. The festival takes place during late summer every year, usually in September.
Blues, Brews & BBQ
Uptown Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
704-332-2227
bluesbrewsandbbq.com