Bluegrass & BBQ Festival Underway

The iconic sounds and smells of Silver Dollar City’s award-winning twentieth-annual Bluegrass & BBQ Festival fill the 1880s theme park’s streets with over 65 of the world’s top bluegrass artists and slow-smoked barbecue through Memorial Day. With 22 days of bluegrass music, Bluegrass & BBQ features more dates than any other bluegrass festival in the United States.

Named “Event of the Year” by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), the festival stars the industry’s most notable names and numerous Grammy winners like The SteelDrivers, “Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent & The Rage and Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper. Additional Grammy-nominated groups include The Grascals, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, and Special Consensus. Plus, even more of the hottest names in bluegrass performing throughout the park.

Silver Dollar City continues the park’s long-standing tradition of spotlighting the world’s youngest and most talented pickers with The City’s Youth in Bluegrass Showcase. Bands with members 21 years of age and younger competed virtually to earn a three-set performance opportunity on stage throughout Memorial Day weekend.

“We’re overjoyed to feature these young up-and-comers along with award-winning bluegrass legends,” notes Amanda Carson, producer of Bluegrass & BBQ. “Add in the park’s famous barbecue and it’s the perfect recipe for an all-American, family-friendly festival you won’t find anywhere else.”

The big names in bluegrass share festival headlines with the food! The City’s pitmasters hickory-smoke a variety of meats in the returning House of Barbecue, including pulled pork, barbecue chicken and beef brisket. BBQ-inspired dishes are available with a Tasting Passport throughout The City, including the ancho chili smoked pork belly skillet, barbecue chicken macaroni and cheese and barbecue brisket kettle chips. There are exclusive Passport treats too, like the apple caramel funnel cake, watermelon whip cone and peach cobbler bread pudding, with each Passport worth 5 unique tastes.

The entertainment and festival fare provide a beautiful backdrop for The City’s 40 rides and attractions, including the new Fire In The Hole, the Heartland’s largest indoor family coaster! A festival lineup, hours of operation and more information are available at silverdollarcity.com or by downloading the free Silver Dollar City app.