Bloomin' Barbeque & Bluegrass Event Serves Up Family Fun

Sevierville’s fourth annual Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass will take place May 16-17,
2008. This family-friendly event will once again bring barbeque cook teams from all over the United States to Sevierville as they compete for $20,000 in cash and prizes and the title of Tennessee State Champion.

Rounding out the event is toe-tapping bluegrass music, incredible arts and crafts, kids’ games and the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition honoring Sevierville’s favorite hometown girl, Dolly Parton. With so many exciting things to see and do, this event is one you’ll want to attend!

Friday night (May 16), take a little time to visit with the barbeque cook teams you’ve seen on cable channels like the Food Network as you stroll through the “Que Zone.” Championship barbeque tastes best when eaten in a comfortable place with great music, so have a seat in the Eating Tent, which will feature a variety of shows throughout the event. Then make sure you bring a lawn chair or blanket for the free bluegrass concerts with rising stars like Cadillac Sky and Bradley Walker and well known legends Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time and Marty Stuart.

Saturday morning (May 17), start the day early with the Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union Kids' Que where children ages 6-16 cook chicken to win cash and trophies. Then stay to watch as championship cook teams turn in their competition meats and then stay for the announcement of winners at 4pm. During the competition the teams will cook an estimated 2,832 pounds of meat including 20 pounds of pulled pork, 24 pounds of brisket, 5 pounds of chicken and 10 pounds of ribs each. Winning teams will receive recognition in Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket as well as specialty categories like “Anything Bush Beans”, “Anything Wampler’s Farm Sausage”, Sauce and Dessert.

An expanded Kids’ Zone and the Bluegrass Music Tent, sponsored in part by The Music Outlet, add fun and enrichment for the kids and families who attend Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass. The Kids’ Zone includes attractions like climbing walls, bounce houses and old-time toys while the Bluegrass Music Tent gives kids (and kids at heart) the chance to touch and play bluegrass instruments such as banjos, fiddles and more (don’t worry, instructors will be on site to help). Both of these attractions will be open until 9pm each day of the event.

A highlight of Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass is the 4th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals held on May 17. Finalists from around the nation will sing their hearts out for a chance to win prize money, a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee and a guitar autographed by Dolly Parton. This competition, the only one of its kind that festival organizers know of, honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton. Competitors, male and female, must sing a song written by Dolly Parton (there are over 3,000) and do so in their own style (rock, rap, country, bluegrass, swing, soul, etc.).

Admission and concerts are free.

After feasting on delicious barbeque and enjoying great entertainment, swing by Pigeon Forge for even more fun. Pigeon Forge Hotels also offer the best in lodging, and are a easy option for visitors to the Bloomin' Barbeque and Bluegrass.