News Release

SAVE THE DATE: Big South Fork NRRA to Host 22nd Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival

Mule team preparing to plow the field

NPS

News Release Date: March 18, 2022

Contact: Christopher Derman, 423-569-9778

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host the 22nd annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 30, 2022. This festival celebrates the Appalachian way of life that has been such a huge part of the history of the Big South Fork area.

Early families who settled the Big South Fork area depended on their ability to successfully raise animals, crops, and gardens to feed themselves. Most of the farming that occurred here was truly subsistence farming, and not uncommon for local residents to have large gardens that provide a substantial amount of food.

During the festival, crafters demonstrate forgotten arts such as woodcarving, moonshining, farrier services, longbow hunting, farm animals, a live birds of prey program, gardening, and old-time toys which will delight young and old alike. Toe-tapping tunes of mountain music are performed throughout the area by local musicians. Of special interest is the plowing and planting with mules, which takes place at Lora Blevins field. Other demonstrations will take place at the Oscar Blevins Farm Site as well.

Come celebrate this way of life with us as we provide memorable opportunities for you to experience this important part of our history. For more information about this event, click here: https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/springplanting.htm