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Old Crow Medicine show brought an unmatched energy to the festival on Saturday night. (Photo by Stacey Tully)

Country music legend Marty Stuart and his band, the Fabulous Superlatives, drew a huge crowd to the Flint Hill Stage. (Photo by Stacey Tully)

Twisted Pine performed on The Flint Hill Stage on Saturday (Photo by Cora Wagoner)

Tanya Tucker performed Sunday night on the Flint Hill Stage of the Earl Scruggs Music Festival (Photo by Cora Wagoner)

The Earls of Leicester (Photo by Jess Maples)

Old Crow Medicine Show (Photo by Jeff Allison)

A.J. Lee & Blue Summit (Photo by Stacey Tully)

The PacJam Ramblers performed at the festival on the main stage and at this impromptu gathering. (Photo by Stacey Tully)

Twisted Pine performs on the Foggy Mountain Stage. (Photo by Stacey Tully)

A Jam Session near the Silo Bar (Photo by Jess Maples)

Earl Scruggs Music Festival (Photo by Stacey Tully)

Earl Scruggs Music Festival (Photo by Stacey Tully)

Lindsay Lou performs on the main stage (Photo by Grant Langston)

Earl Scruggs Music Festival (Photo by Stacey Tully)

Old Crow Medicine Show (Photo by Jeff Allison)

Old Crow Medicine Show performed on the Flint Hill Stage. (Photo by Jeff Allison)

Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives perform on the Flint Hill Stage (Photo by Grant Langston)

The Biscuit Eaters (Photo by Jess Maples)

The Steeldrivers perform on the Flint Hill Stage (Photo by Cora Wagoner)

(Photo by Jess Maples)

Pony Bradshaw drew a crowd to the Flint Hill Stage (Photo by Cora Wagoner)

Darrell Scott’s String Band (Photo by Cora Wagoner)

(Photo by Jess Maples)

(Photo by Jess Maples)

(Photo by Jess Maples)

(Photo by Stacey Tully)

(Photo by Stacey Tully)

(Photo by Stacey Tully)

Miko Marks (Photo By Stacey Tully)

Crowd (Photo by Stacey Tully)

Earl Scruggs (Photo by Stacey Tully)

Tanya Tucker (Photo by Stacey Tully)

Festival attracts fans from across the country

MILL SPRING—The Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring hosted thousands of fans from all over the country for the third annual Earl Scruggs Music Festival over the weekend. Fans showed up to honor the eponymous bluegrass hero and enjoy music from their favorite performers. 

The event featured two stages of world-class bluegrass, country, Americana, and old-time music. In addition to the performances, the festival featured workshops, a kids’ zone, various dining options, and dozens of vendors.

“This is the best festival I’ve ever been to,” said Dave McCarthy, who traveled from Virginia to enjoy this year’s celebration. “This is an incredible lineup, good vibes. We’re just so excited to be here.”

This year’s event hosted many national acts, including headliners Yonder Mountain String Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, and country music icon Tanya Tucker. 

The festival also held smaller satellite events, such as ‘The Bluegrass Over Easy Breakfast’ at the Legends Club, which featured a performance by The Faux Paws, and the ‘Bourbon and Bluegrass’ tasting event, which featured members of the Infamous Stringdusters. There were also raffles for guitars, banjos, and mandolins.

Jim and Maryland Maffucci traveled from Queens, New York, to attend the festival for the first time. They were most excited to see Old Crow Medicine Show.

“We’ve been to New Hampshire to see them, and we go to Merlefest every year to see them,” Jim said. “We also really enjoyed Marty Stuart. It’s been an all-around good time. Just a good show.”

Since its inception, siblings Janet and Jim Brightley of Washington, D.C., have attended the yearly celebration. 

“There’s so much good music. I’m going to come back later for Shadowgrass and Old Crow,” Janet said of the exciting lineup on Saturday. “And then A.J. Lee and the Blue Summit; she’s the hottest upcoming female mandolin player, and we just can’t wait to see her.”

Although the weather cooperated most of the weekend, Sunday saw temporary delays due to lightning and thunderstorms near the showgrounds.

“A little rain never hurt anyone,” said Ozzy as he returned to the main stage once the performances resumed. “We’ve had a blast.”

The event honored the late Earl Scruggs, who pioneered a distinctive banjo-picking style and popularized the bluegrass genre, catapulting it to the mainstream. Scruggs would have celebrated his 100th birthday in January.

“Thank you, Earl,” Ozzy said Sunday. “All of these performers have been influenced by him, and this festival is a great celebration of his legacy.”

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