Sevierville’s twelfth annual Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass will take place May 20-21, 2016. This family-friendly event will once again bring barbeque cook teams from all over the United States to Sevierville to compete for $17,500 in cash and prizes and the title of Tennessee State Champion in the Bush’s Best TN State Championship Cook Off. Rounding out the event is toe-tapping bluegrass music, incredible arts and crafts, kids’ games and the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition honoring Sevierville’s favorite hometown girl, Dolly Parton.
Take a little time to visit with the barbeque cook teams you’ve seen on cable channels like the Food Network as you stroll through the “Que Zone.” Then make sure you bring a lawn chair for the free bluegrass concerts with rising stars and legends of the bluegrass genre, including Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Mountain Faith Band (as seen on America’s Got Talent), Mountain Ruckus (presented by Dixie Stampede), The Church Sisters, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Flashback, and The Gibson Brothers.
On Saturday, the competition starts early. Watch as championship cook teams turn in their competition meats. Then stay for the announcement of BBQ champs at 4pm. During the competition the teams will cook an estimated 2,832 pounds of meat including 20 pounds of pulled pork, 24 pounds of brisket, 5 pounds of chicken and 10 pounds of ribs each. Winning teams will receive recognition in Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket as well as specialty categories like “Anything Bush Beans,” “Anything Swaggerty’s Farm Sausage,” Sauce and Dessert.
The Kids’ Zone and the Bluegrass Music Tent, sponsored in part by The Music Outlet, add fun and enrichment for the kids and families who attend Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass. Enjoy bounce houses, face painters and old-time toys in the Kids’ Zone while the Bluegrass Music Tent gives kids (and kids at heart) the chance to touch and play bluegrass instruments such as banjos, fiddles and more (don’t worry, instructors will be on site to help). Both of these attractions will be open until 9 p.m. each day of the event.
A highlight of Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass is the 12th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals held on May 21. Finalists from around the nation will sing their hearts out for a chance to win cash and prizes. This competition, the only one of its kind that festival organizers know of, honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton. Competitors, male and female, must sing a song written by Dolly Parton (there are over 3,000) and do so in their own style (rock, rap, country, bluegrass, swing, soul, etc.).
Musicians can get in on the fun during Friday night’s Late Night Jam presented by Dixie Stampede. The jam, which takes place the night of Friday, May 20 at Courthouse Donuts in downtown Sevierville, is a great way to keep the music going from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m.!
The People’s Choice Tasting Contest presented by Dolly Parton’s Lumberjack Adventure is a fun element to the event that gives festival-goers a chance to weigh in on their favorite competition meat. Guests can purchase tickets for $15 in advance by calling the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at (865)453-6411 or at the festival. The People’s Choice Tasting Contest presented by Dolly Parton’s Lumberjack Adventure takes place between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 21 and allows event-goers to sample and vote for their favorite championship pulled pork from participating teams.
Admission and concerts are free thanks to great sponsors, including the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce which encourages you to stay in Sevierville while visiting Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass. For
great lodging deals and more information about Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass, call (888) 889-7415 or visit online at www.BloominBBQ.com.
