|
South Pittsburg, TN
The National Cornbread Festival is an annual street fair in South Pittsburg, Tennessee that highlights the 'sights, sounds, tastes, and people' of this Tennessee-Alabama border town. The festival began in 1997, and featured music of the region from 'day one.' It takes place annually on the last full weekend in April. Saturday night feature is a street dance.
The Cornbread Cookoff, a major part of the festival, --drawing competition cooks from far and wide-- has been sponsored by the Lodge Cast Iron Pan Manufacturing Company, located in South Pittsburg; the Martha White flour company; and the Brown Stove company. Other corporate sponsors of the festival include Coca Cola and Mayfield Dairy.
Both local and nationally-known musicians have had a part in the festival from the beginning, with stage shows, street jams and performances, and buskers who entertain while moving through the streets. In recent years, bluegrass headliners have included Jim and Jesse McReynolds and Mac Wiseman. With Martha White sponsorship, the festival has included the bluegrass artist who tours nationally in the Martha White bus, currently Rhonda Vincent and her fine band, the Rage.
In 2002, a new musical feature was added -- the 'Jam Tent' -- which proved to be a favorite with the musicians and the audience. The host band, the old time Fiery Gizzard String Band, keep the music going from noon to 4:30pm. On-the-spot 'jam bands,' composed of two, three, or more players, compete in a friendly and casual manner for prizes throughout the afternoon. In past years, each jam band has played for an hour while the audience circulates among them, then--at the end of the hour--the audience voted on which of the bands was their favorite.
Booked stages include a Children's stage, a quiet Gazebo near the crafters, a larger stage in Citizen's Park, and the main stage with the headline acts. The organizers strive for variety, and have included groups presenting Blues, Rockabilly, Gospel Vocals, Cajun, South African, Latin American, Bluegrass, Old-time, Rock n' Roll, Folk, Funk, and Country. The Gazebo features mellowerer music, such as a solo artist playing hammered dulcimer and old-time singers without amplification. On Sunday morning there is a street church service.
The festival takes place in the town of South Pittsburg on Highway 72, south of I-24 near Kimball, Tennessee from 9am-6pm on Saturday and on Sunday from 9am-5pm. Central Time. Book early for hotel rooms in Monteagle, Kimball, South Pittsburg, Jasper, and Stevenson, AL. Camping is available in nearby TVA campgrounds at Nickajack Lake, and at South Cumberland state park.
Suitable for large groups and tour buses.
Call ahead to make arrangements for bus parking.
Admission is low, typically $3 for adults.
For more information, please contact:
Chairman of the Entertainment Committee
423-837-7114 OR 423-837-0022
shawn@mossmotorco.com
www.nationalcornbread.com
|
