If You Go:
What: Uncle Dave Macon Days
Where: Cannonsburgh Village
When: July 10 – 12
Price: Free
It’s festival time in Tennessee, and Murfreesboro will be hosting the 32nd annual Uncle Dave Macon Days festival, a celebration of bluegrass and old-time music traditions. The festival happens July 10 – 12 and will take place in Cannonsburgh Village, a pioneer village constructed in 1976, America’s bicentennial.
Murfreesboro has been recognized by the House of Representatives as the “National American Music Center for Traditional American Music.” So, this festival has been known to attract up to 40,000 people for the dynamic stage competitions, handmade arts and crafts and trade demonstrations. And the essence of the Southern tradition and style is captured in the good food offered at the concession stands. This year’s festival also features music and dance competitions with $15,000 in prize money at stake.
As part of the festival, a motorless parade will make its way through Murfreesboro’s square on Saturday morning. The parade is a sentiment of yesteryear when living was simple and not as hectic. The parade will begin at Central Middle School in Murfreesboro and will travel down East Main Street to Cannonsburgh Village.
The 2009 Heritage Award will be presented to the Roan Mountain Hilltoppers Old Time String Band during the festivities Saturday night. The band, according to its myspace site, consists of Janice Birchfield, who serves as MC for the band and washtub bass player; her husband, Bill Birchfield, the fiddle player who is known for playing everything upside down and backwards; and Amy Michels, who plays banjo and contributes to the vocals.
This bluegrass group has deep roots in the Appalachian Mountains where the members developed their style and sound. For 30 years the Roan Mountain Hilltoppers have been sharing a passion for preserving and playing a bluegrass sound that harks back to old times. These performers are known for their energetic shows that always aim to entertain, much like Uncle Dave Macon did.
UNCLE DAVE MACON DAYS SCHEDULE
Uncle Dave Macon Days events kick off at
5 p.m. on Friday, July 10; 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 11; and 12 p.m. on Sunday, July 12.
No admission fee is required.
Friday
4 p.m. Registration
5 p.m.
Linnel Gentry Old Time Singing Contest
Beginner Instrumental
UDM Free Wheelin Style
Freestyle Dance Jr.
Freestyle Dance Sr.
7 p.m.
Trail Blazer Award Presentation
Competitions include:
Blues Singing with acoustic instruments
De Ford Bailey Harmonica Contest
Dobro
Saturday
9 a.m.
Competitions include:
Guitar (No finals)
Mandolin (No finals)
Fiddle Waltz & Breakdown (No finals)
Old Time Clogging (Junior preliminary)
Old Time Clogging (Adult preliminary)
Old Time Clogging (Senior preliminary)
Old Time Buckdancing (Junior preliminary)
Old Time Buckdancing (Adult preliminary)
Old Time Buckdancing (Senior preliminary)
Dulcimer (No finals)
Traditional Fiddle (No finals)
Old Time Banjo (preliminary)
10 a.m. Start of the motorless parade at Central Middle School. The parade will travel along East Main and will end at Cannonsburgh Village.
5 p.m. 2009 Heritage Award Performance and Presentation: The Roan Mountain Hilltoppers
6 p.m Old Time Band (preliminary)
Bobby Thompson?Bluegrass Banjo (preliminary)
Bluegrass Band (preliminary)
Finals:
Old Time Clogging (Junior)
Old Time Clogging (Adult)
Old Time Clogging (Senior)
Old Time Buckdancing (Junior)
Old Time Buckdancing (Adult)
Old Time Buckdancing (Senior)
Old Time Banjo
Old Time Band
Bobby Thompson?Bluegrass Banjo
Bluegrass Band
Sunday
12 p.m. Old-Time Gospel Singing and Ministry Fair
