Above: Mountain Heart
Head to Spruce Pine for the Very Best in Bluegrass & BBQ
While the average temperatures in Spruce Pine remain relatively mild in the summer, things are certainly heating up as the fifth annual Spruce Pine BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival takes over a new location this year at Riverside Park, across from the Toe River, Friday and Saturday, July 15–16.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Spruce Pine and sanctioned by the Southern BBQ Network, this event features a professional BBQ competition, live bluegrass lineup, food vendors, clogging teams, local crafts, kids activities, and many more family-friendly attractions. “This is the fifth year that the Rotary Club of Spruce Pine has brought this major festival to our area with the help of many volunteers, sponsors, and both public and private resources,” says Reid Duncan, festival spokesperson. “The funds raised make it possible for our rotary club to support a wide variety of charities. It is a testimonial to the hard work of our club members and extensive teamwork and support throughout Spruce Pine and Mitchell County.”
Headliners Mountain Heart will be joined by Unspoken Tradition, Buncombe Turnpike, McKinney Gap, Jonah Riddle and Carolina Express, and the ClinchField Mountain Boys. Champion mountain clogging teams—The Barnburners, Cole Mountain Cloggers, and the Mountaineer Cloggers—will also take the stage. Remember to bring a lawn chair for the performance, or purchase a reserved seat.
Barbecue competition categories include pork butts, pork ribs, and chicken. Teams must compete in all three categories to be eligible for a grand or reserve grand champion award. Friday evening will feature a potluck during which you can share a favorite recipe or two with fellow competitors and have an opportunity to socialize.
New this year is a car show featuring 75 antique, classic, and custom cars—and some antique tractors, too! Hours are 4–10 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. Complimentary shuttles will transport attendees from parking areas to the festival.
General admission for adults and children ages 13 and older for Friday is $10, $18 for Saturday. Discount admission for both days is $25. Children 12 and under receive wristbands for free. Reserved VIP seating for the bluegrass stage area with chair for both days is $50. For more, visit sprucepinebbqbluegrass.org, or their Facebook page.
