From July 13 to 15, roughly 40,000 visitors will saddle up and head to Murfreesboro for the 30th annual Uncle Dave Macon Days festival, event organizers say.

Held in historic Cannonsburgh Village, this family-friendly festival is home to various Southern activities. There are numerous acoustic, instrumental and dance competitions, including three national championship events in old-time clogging, old-time banjo and old-time buckdancing.

I know, that’s a lot of old-timeyness, so keep your eyes peeled for plenty of Ruths, Dorothys and, who knows, maybe even a Gladys or two.

So while a banjo is pretty healthy in popularity, clogging and buckdancing may require some explanation. Clogging involves wood-soled shoes and, in some dances, the feet tap the floor more than seventy times in 15 seconds. Crazy.

Buckdancing is a pre-tap routine originally performed by vaudevillians and minstrels in the 1800s. The name comes from the word “buccaneer” and refers to ship captains who would have their crew dance for exercise and improved morale. This was also called “dancing the slaves,” buckdancing has a little nicer ring to it.

When scoring these two dance competitions, judges look for an old-time style and judge in five categories: rhythm and timing, individuality, authenticity and taste, execution and showmanship.

In case dance competitions aren’t your thing, plenty of other activities are available all weekend.

The Motorless Parade heads down East Main Street at 10 a.m. and features various vehicles pulled by horses and mules. The arts and crafts show provides enjoyment for people of all ages, and living history demonstrations will go on all weekend. This means you can check out a real blacksmith in action!

So who exactly is this Dave Macon guy? Only the most successful entertainer to come out of Rutherford County, according to the late local music historian Charles Wolfe, who called Macon the Elvis of Rutherford County. After working as a farmer and wagon master for 18 years, Macon took his singing and banjo-playing skills and professionally entertained for 34 years, 27 of which were with the Grand Ole Opry.

Nicknamed the Dixie Dewdrop, he played at the Opry until three weeks before his death in 1952. His talent and showmanship led to his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966.

Keep your calendar open and take a trip back in time?to the old-time?and commemorate one of Rutherford county’s brightest stars. Throw on some boots, clogs, tennis shoes, sandals or whatever, bring a down-South attitude and give ol’ Uncle Dave a try. I mean, 40,000 fans can’t be wrong.