The second of four Nine Mile Bluegrass Festivals scheduled this year will take place this weekend at Edmons Music Park in Pikeville, Tenn. On Thursday, the Circle E Guest Ranch & Campground in Belvidere, Tenn., will kick off a new three-day bluegrass festival with a night of old-time music and square-dancing.
Nine Mile
The Nine Mile festivals, a tradition since 1985, are held in May and September at the Nine Mile Volunteer Fire Department and in June and August at Edmons Music Park on Highway 127.
Scheduled to play this weekend are Cannon Creek, Fredonia Bluegrass Band, Ken Scoggins & Miller's Creek, Across the Mountain, Cedar Ridge, County Line Bluegrass, Just Passin' Thru, Laurel Ridge, Lost in Tyme and the Edmons Family Bluegrass Band.
Admission is $5 for the weekend, free for children younger than 12. Lawn chairs are recommended. The show goes on rain or shine under a pavilion. Camping is available. Concessions will be available at noon today and at 7 a.m. Saturday (all times Central). For more information, call 423-533-2720 or visit www.ninemilebluegrass.com.
Circle E
The Circle E Bluegrass Festival begins with the Hog Slop String Band providing the entertainment at 6 p.m. CDT Thursday.
Concerts kick into high gear June 29-30, with Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show, Fox Mountain Express Band and the Skip Cherryholmes Quartet performing Friday. J.D. Crowe and the New South and Junior Sisk and Rambler's Choice headline Saturday.
Cindy Pinion of Forever Bluegrass, which is producing the festival, said Crowe is retiring as a touring performer this year. Other bands in the lineup include Slim Pickins, Timbre Fox and Bent Creek.
Tickets purchased in advance are $5 Thursday, $15 on June 29, $20 on June 30, $40 for a three-day ticket. Tickets purchased at the gate are $5 more each day, $10 more for the three-day ticket. Admission is free for children 15 and younger. Prices do not include camping or stall fees. Concessions will be available.
The ranch is at 50 Circle E Lane in Belvidere off Highway 16 South outside Winchester, Tenn. Call 931-962-1790 or visit www.CircleEGuestRanch.com.