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Bluegrass fans flock to Morganton

Red Rockin’ Chair

By Bill Wilson | The News Herald

Published: July 2, 2009

If you have noticed some strangers in town for the past day or so, get used to it. Thousands of out-of-towners and out-of-staters have flooded the Catawba Meadows Park for our city's sixth annual Red, White and Bluegrass Festival.
With the move from the city's soccer complex and recreation center to the new festival site, there is no doubt that this is a huge step up for RWB6.
Although the stage is a temporary one for this year, by 2010 it is hoped that a permanent one will be in place — one that will host hundreds of concerts for years to come.
If you are planning on attending the festival, it's a little different this year in that there is a nominal charge for admission, so be certain to check by the box office near the festival area entrance and get a wrist bracelet that will make you legal once you get onto the grounds themselves.
With "Pickin' on the Greenway," the Bluegrass Music Camp for Kids, and more than 30 bluegrass artist groups hitting the stage from Wednesday through Saturday evening, this has to be one of the grandest festivals of its kind in the state, and maybe beyond.
Adjacent to the festival on Saturday old time activities, such as frog jumping contests, watermelon eating contests,and greased pole climbing, will abound.
It's great for kids and the entire family.
With all the guests that will be coming to town, there's no doubt that RWB6 once again puts Morganton and Burke County in its rightful place on the map as a great place to be for Independence Day.
Take a little break at 7 p.m. July 9 and join us on the BackPorch at CoMMA for the season's first concert featuring Strictly Clean and Decent performs a concert under the stars, and, as last year, there will be barbecue and all the fixins onsite.
Strictly Clean and Decent is probably one group that combines the talent with a wide variety of musical styles to create a fun night for all of us in audience. From old-time to bluegrass to even a few blues and Broadway pieces, they promise to bring something for everyone. Don't forget your lawn chair, and we'll see you there.
There are three more BackPorch concerts on the slate for this summer. We'll bring you up to speed on those as the time gets closer.
Those who have been in the waiting line for MainStage Morganton season tickets should wait no longer. As we wind down the renewals, it looks as though some really great seats may become available. Current subscribers need to hustle to the CoMMA Box Office to secure their first-right-of-refusal of their seats, for we cannot hold them forever.
Many have opted to purchase single event tickets. Although these cost a bit more, it's the perfect deal when you know you can't make it to most of the season. Either way, it puts you in the theater for great times and wonderful memories. What's not to like about that?

Bill Wilson is the director of CoMMA. E-mail news@morganton.com.