Staff Photo by Morris Stephenson:
Music of every variety was offered on three stages Saturday at the 35th annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival on the Ferrum College campus. The New North Carolina Ramblers, featuring songs of Charlie Poole and Pose Rorrer, drew a large crowd during a performance. |
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - Staff Writer
Despite "the worst weather we've ever had for a festival," Roddy Moore, founder and director of the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival, said the 35th annual event turned out to be a good one.
"Once it stopped raining Saturday, people started flocking to the festival," Moore said.
While the weather has been colder and snow flurries have fallen in the past, the predicted weekend rain had a bigger impact on attendance, Moore said.
"All week long, the forecasters were calling for rain to start Friday afternoon and continue throughout most of the day Saturday. At that point, I think, people started changing their weekend plans," he said.
As it turned out, the two weather systems split the area, leaving only an inch of rain.
The steady rain did not start until later Friday night and, for the most part, had moved through the area by noon Saturday, two hours after the festival opened.
"People who did come early came dressed for the weather. When the rain stopped, people started coming in, and they were still coming at three and four o'clock," Moore said.
"Last year, they kept calling for rain on Friday and not Saturday, and that was the way it worked out. So we had a really good crowd. Before it was all over Saturday, we had a good crowd," he said.
"You can't reschedule to a rain date because the people won't come for whatever reason," Moore added.
For the most part, the festival has always been advertised as a rain or shine event.
Moore praised the quality and variety of music as well as the other entertainment during the festival.
"We had outstanding musicians who performed on each of the stages," he said. "Every group we had is a headliner as far as I'm concerned."
"There was music here for everyone," Moore said, noting the variety that included African-American and bluegrass gospel, string bands, blues and rock-a-billy music.
And the old-time festival favorites, such as the horse pulls, quilt show and coon dog races, always attract festival-goers, Moore said.
"I understand the moonshine stage drew a good crowd during its two hours," he added.
When asked if he was pleased with this year's crowd, Moore said, "I was glad we had anyone here at all. But seriously, we had a good crowd and it was evident they had a good time. That's what it's all about."
"For many folks, this (festival) is a homecoming," he added. "They get together once a year at the festival. And this is good."
With all the tents and small buildings back in place and the signs gone, the Ferrum College campus was back to normal Monday. And Moore and the Blue Ridge Institute staff were back in the office, wrapping up paperwork from the 35th annual event and making plans for the 36th festival on the fourth Saturday of October 2009. |
