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Red, White and Bluegrass Festival draws in crowd for sixth year

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More on the Red, White and Bluegrass Festival

By Julie N. Chang | The News Herald

Published: July 4, 2009

MORGANTON - The Red, White and Bluegrass Festival kicked off Wednesday with City of Morganton Mayor Mel Cohen welcoming the crowds and ended with a bang Saturday night as fireworks shot into the sky.

City of Morganton Parks and Recreation Director Gary Leonhardt said the festival, at it's new location in Catawba Meadows Park, was a success this year.

The city sold approximately 5,000 tickets, Leonhardt said. The first day drew in a crowd of 3,500.

Leonhardt estimated an even larger crowd for the fireworks show.

Many of the festival guests chose to camp, which was a free option with a four-day pass. Leonhardt said on Friday, his team counted 124 RV, trailer and tent camping units.

Morganton Public Safety Chief Mark Tolbert said there had been no major incidents as of Saturday afternoon.

"So far people are enjoying the festival," Tolbert said.

Maj. Billy Bradshaw said the change in venue has improved the traffic flow of the festival.

Leonhardt said the transition to the venue "worked out surprisingly well."

Parking was adequate throughout the week, Leonhardt said. And both musicians and listeners have applauded the quality of the sound in the park.

There weren't any major problems, but the city will reevaluate some its policies for next year, Leonhardt said. That includes allowing coolers in the festival area and the cost of tickets.

Although the festival area was teeming with people, a crowd had gathered around the picnic shelters to engage in some Fourth of July fun.

Hannah Ballantine, 8, plowed through almost three large watermelon slices to win the kids' watermelon eating contest, although three boys under the age of 5-years put in a gallant effort.

William Gainey Jr., 22, of Madison, struggled to keep his watermelon in until he could keep the prize, after consuming four slices of watermelon.

And Landon Rudisill, 13, of Rutherford College proudly showed off Martin, his prize winning frog, who jumped 63" in three hops to take the grand prize of $250.

Rudisill said his parents found the frog at a local fishing pond while he was away at scout camp. Having entered the contest in previous years, Rudisill wanted to return and try again.