Barbeque and Bluegrass Take Over Sevierville Friday & Saturday

Staff Photo by Kendra Luketic, Jefferson County Post Staff Writer

This past weekend the annual Bloomin’ Barbeque and Bluegrass Festival, voted the Southeast Tourism Society Festival of the Year, was held in historic downtown Sevierville, Tennessee. This festival was a free family oriented event focusing on the celebration of spring time, world-class bluegrass music, and delicious championship barbecue.

Throughout the festival teams from across the nation competed in Bush’s Best Tennessee State Championship Barbeque Cook-Off. They competed for over $17,000 in cash and prizes and the right to call themselves the Tennessee State Champion in Barbecue.

The festival consisted of bluegrass bands performing all weekend, including the bluegrass super group, The Bluegrass Album Band, and the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition, honoring the songwriting of Dolly Parton. Activities were set up for kids, including bounce houses, face painters, and the chance to compete in the Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union Kids Burger Cook Off. Vendors lined the streets of the historic downtown selling crafts, goods, and food. The festival also hosted the Great American BBQ Tour and American Grill Master Experience where people could stop by and learn grilling and barbequing tips and techniques right from the pros.