All-encompassing Valley Fest draws crowds to Dunlap

Gospel artist Jason Crabb will close out the festival with a concert at 4 p.m. CDT Sunday, May 1.
Gospel artist Jason Crabb will close out the festival with a concert at 4 p.m. CDT Sunday, May 1.
photo Country band Restless Heart performs at Valley Fest at 8 p.m. CDT Saturday, April 30.

If you go

› What: Valley Fest.› When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, April 30; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 1 (all times Central).› Where: Downtown Dunlap, Tenn.› Admission: $8 adults, $2 children daily; $10 two-day adult wristband; additional $25 for reserved seats for Restless Heart concert.› Website: www.valleyfestonline.com.

Citizens Tri-County Bank Stage Schedule

SATURDAY, APRIL 3011:30 a.m. Parade and opening ceremony12:15 p.m. Alhambra Highlanders12:30 p.m. Carolina Calling2 p.m. Ogya World Music Band3:30 p.m. The Banders5 p.m. Carrie Hassler6:30 p.m. T. Graham Brown8 p.m. Restless HeartSUNDAY, MAY 1Noon. Service led by Ronnie Pearson12:30 pm. Scenic City Chorus1:30 p.m. Crystal River Band2:30 p.m. Cody McCarver4 p.m. Jason Crabb

If you go

› What: Art and Library Exhibition.› When: 6-8 p.m. today, April 28; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, April 29; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, April 30; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, May 1 (all times Central).› Where: Dunlap City Hall Training Center, 15609 Rankin Ave.› Admission: Free today and Friday; included in $8-$10 Valley Fest admission Saturday and Sunday.

Everything you could look for in a community festival - pageant, car show, music, rides, games and concessions - will fill downtown Dunlap, Tenn., on Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1, during Valley Fest. The community block party is sponsored by the Dunlap/Sequatchie County City Chamber of Commerce.

The fun gets off to its start at 7:30 a.m. CDT Saturday with a 5K, 10K and 1-mile fun run. The $30 race registration fee is a great deal because it also includes a festival pass and admission to Saturday night's headliner, Restless Heart.

Immediately following the races at 9 a.m., the Miss Valley Fest pageant for ages 17-22 will be held. Contestants must register by noon Friday, April 29.

The festival is chaired by Winston Pickett, and Marlene Basham is the co-chair. Basham says there will be 30 craftspeople, 27 informational booths and 18 food vendors located around the festival site.

The Valley Fest Car Show will feature classic and street rods, trucks, rat rods and new cars. Owners can register between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. CDT for $20 per car. The first 40 who register will receive Valley Fest dash plaques, and every entrant receives a goodie bag. There will be a DJ spinning oldies to set the mood for the classic-car display.

Sequatchie Friends of the Library is sponsoring an exhibition of 45 artists in the Dunlap City Hall Training Center, which is on the festival grounds.

"The exhibit provides an opportunity for local artists to exhibit to show others what they have been able to achieve. It also provides visitors with a unique cultural experience, the surprise of discovering talented neighbors and friends," says exhibit chairwoman Nina Hunt.

Two stages have been scheduled with a variety of acts to entertain the crowd. Headliners will be found on the Citizens Tri-County Bank Stage. The Mountain Valley Bank Stage is bursting with 35 local acts Saturday and two dozen more on Sunday afternoon.

Basham says a new addition on the festival site this year is a Jumbotron, which was added so even audience members on the back rows can feel up close and personal with the headliners. The festival committee's big get this year is country vocal group Restless Heart, who will play at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Restless Heart is one of few bands that can boast its original members are still together after 33 years. The band's claim to fame is tight harmony that sounds as lush a cappella as when backed by guitar.

"It's been such an honor to have been part of an organization that is still together after more than 30 years with the same five original guys. I think it's been an amazing legacy and it's more fun than ever," said lead singer Larry Stewart in a news release about the Valley Fest show.

Restless Heart just released its first new single in three years, a cover of the Glen Campbell classic "Wichita Lineman."

The band is most recognizable for its hit, "I'll Still Be Loving You," one of six No. 1 singles the group has charted. The other five are "That Rock Won't Roll," "Wheels," "Why Does It Have To Be Wrong or Right," "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" and "A Tender Lie."

Additionally, Restless Heart's had 14 Top 10 singles, four albums certified gold and was the 1990 Academy of Country Music Vocal Group of the Year.

Christian artist Jason Crabb is Sunday's headliner to close out the festival. The former lead singer of the Crabb Family gospel singers, he has sung in Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry, won 10 Dove Awards as well as a 2010 Grammy Award for Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass/Gospel album.

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.

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