Despite Friday’s wet weather, thousands of people turned out for music and fun on State Street this weekend for the seventh annual Rhythm and Roots Reunion.
The festival itself has become one of Bristol’s signature events. With three outdoor and 13 indoor stages, performances continue to draw the crowds.
The Paramount Theatre’s headlining jam session is one of the biggest events, but with the street so busy every event seemed popular.
Over 40 different artisans and vendors are offered the opportunity to showcase their wares and skills. Walking through the crowd, one could find everything from candles and cutlery to sculptures and authors.
With the music as the background, this year’s festival offered other fun and exciting events. The festivities kicked off Saturday morning with the Bristol Regional Medical Center 5K Road Race and 2-Mile Walk, a new prize-filled version of the 2K walk last year.
Soon to follow were the First Class Travel Chilli Cook-off and the second year of the Kroger Food Stores Hot Pepper Eating Championship.
If that didn’t spice up your day, then you could cool down with Bristol Virginia Utilities free children’s day with fun and ice cream.
Some of the featured musical acts during the weekend included: The Avett Brothers, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, The Wayword Sons, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, The Waybacks, the everybodyfields, Blue Moon Rising, Uncle Earl, Nashville songwriter Shawn Camp, Donna the Buffalo and Wires and Wood.

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