If you weren’t even a twinkle in your parent’s eyes when Woodstock made headlines, then there’s something even better to fill that void in your life. Yes folks, it’s Hotoberfest time again on Oct.18 and 19.
Held in Hot Springs, N.C., next to the lovely French Broad River for three years running, the festival has been championed by its loyal followers as a place where beautiful scenery and rockin’ music merge.
Usually a small mountain resort town on the Appalachian Trail, the population of Hot Springs swells in mid-October as the faithful and the curious bunk up on the Hot Springs Campground – which, by the way, offers amenities such as toilets, showers and running water for cooking.
Campsites are first come, first serve – so get there in plenty of time to snag a choice spot.
Hotoberfest has become known for its commitment to bringing diverse musical styles and top quality performances to the table.
Living legend Webb Wilder will be headlining this year. His unique and intense rock show promises to be “an amazing night-cap for the 4th annual show,” crows the festival’s creators, Appalachian Entertain-ment.
Wilder isn’t the only diamond in the rough (ha ha) who will be playing this year. Some other bands include: Nashville’s new alt-country stars Trent Summar and the New Row Mob; the one and only singer/songwriter Scott Miller; Greeneville’s own punk rockers, Scull Soup; original jazz/swing/bluegrass Robinella and the CC Stringband; hip hop sound Skinny Little White Girl; Knoxville smartass rockers Apelife; jazz fusion Rasmussen Xperiment; and Nashville’s southern rock Les Honky More Tonkies.
There will also be food vendors on site. Don’t forget to bring extra cash for CDs and T-shirts.
Advance tickets for Hotoberfest are available for $25 ($30 at the door) for Saturday only. There will only be 2,000 tickets sold. Tickets include all Saturday acts, parking and camping Advance tickets are available at: Disc Exchange (Knoxville, Tenn.); The Down Home (Johnson City); Recycled Sound (Greeneville); Hot Springs Campground (Hot Springs, N.C.) 1-800-462-0933.
Also, this year will be the first ever “Hotober’s Eve,” (sponsored by Johnson City’s own The Down Home, music hall), featuring the likes of The R.B. Morris Band; the crowd-pleasin’ Jimmy D and the B-movie Blues; Ed Snodderly; The Archdukes of Hazard; The Reeltime Travelers and Valorie Miller.
Friday’s show time will be an additional $10 cover charge. Showtime will be at 7 p. m.For more information, please contact Appalachian Entertain-ment at (423) 913-1402 or (423) 636-7543.
E-mail appalachianentertainment@yahoo.com. On the web at www.hotoberfest.com

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