By Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County Times
The Carter County Shrine Club’s annual Shriners Bluegrass Festival regularly draws visitors from across the country (and sometimes even from abroad) to Olive Hill where they can partake of local culture and celebrate our Appalachian musical traditions. This year, the festival’s 34th, was no exception, with the Olive Hill Welcome Center reporting visitors from Tennessee, Virginia, and Ohio over the weekend of the bluegrass festival, and their first visitors to sign the log book from Nebraska.
But while the show – which this year featured performances from Southridge, Tommy Webb, Dave Adkins, Lacy Creek, Hammertowne, the Lonesome River Band, Edgar Loudermilk, Kevin Prater, David Parmley, and Ralph Stanley II & the Clinch Mountain Boys, among others – was a lot of good music, a lot of good fellowship, and a lot of good fun, the main reason for the festival is to do what the Shriners always do; support the medical needs of children in our communities.
Because while the show brings a lot of folks to town to support local businesses while appreciating our musical heritage, it’s also a fundraiser. And this year, according to Carter County Shrine Club President Harry Justice, it looks like the show brought in more than $6,000 to support the Shriners Children’s Hospitals. While that number isn’t final, and could potentially go up after all the income and late donations are tallied, and costs associated with the festival are calculated, Justice said the Shrine Club is happy for any support they can provide the hospitals.
“Everything that the Carter County Shrine Club does is in support of the Shriners Hospitals for Children,” Justice said, emphasizing that this is what the weekend is about for the organization.
“Our annual bluegrass festival is one of our biggest events, which promotes good fellowship, fun and entertainment for all,” he continued. “But, most of all, to collect money that we send to our two hospitals to help children in need.”
It takes a lot of work from the club to pull off the festival each year as well, but Justice said everyone considers it time well spent.
“It requires a lot of long hours and hard work from our members and ladies to accomplish all of this,” Justice said. “But there is no better feeling than to know the purpose of all the tireless effort we in is in support for the countless children (the hospital serves) and knowing that all our work has a great impact for them and their families.”
It’s something that every member of the club – and the community that supports them – should be proud of, he said.
“The Carter County Shrine Club makes a big difference in those kids lives,” Justice said, “and we take a lot of pride in the work we do.”
To make a donation to the club, or to get on the list as a sponsor for next year’s show, you can visit the Shriners Bluegrass Festival page online at shrinersbluegrassfestival.com/ and click on the contact tab for more information. Or visit them on Facebook at facebook.com/TheShrinersBluegrassFestival.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com
