Bluegrass comes to Dillard this weekend for charity

Bluegrass music is coming to Dillard this weekend as the 26th Dillard Bluegrass Festival returns Friday, Aug. 4, and Saturday, Aug. 5, with an eventful lineup.

Dillard City Hall Fairgrounds will be host to this Bluegrass Benefit Festival from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. both days and proceeds go to Rabun County charities and nonprofits.

“We’re looking forward to it,” Hank Belew, chairman of the event, told The Clayton Tribune Tuesday. He said that last year’s event raised money for nine different nonprofits in the county.

“We’ve got a lot of regional groups,” Belew said about several bands from the region who have been in business a long time that will be performing.

Friday’s entertainment includes music by John Duncan; Foxfire Boys; Doug Flowers Band; Willie Wells and Blue Ridge Mountain Grass and more.

Saturday’s headliner is Nick Chandler & Delivered with other performances by Curtis Blackwell; New Apostles of Bluegrass; Shadow Ridge; and Brushfire.

“It’s exciting to have those bands,” Belew said, noting that the family-fun festival is expected to be met with cooler weather this year.

Belew said there is even a slot from 10-11 a.m. both days for open mic performances and anyone interested in performing can show up by 9:30 a.m.

There will be a variety of crafts from 26-27 vendors as well as delicious food options from The Dillard House, Rabun County FFA, award-winning BBQ and a Cajun food selection.

The event will also have kids’ games, arts and crafts, and professional cooking classes both days.

Admission cost is $20 for one day and $35 for a two-day pass. Kids under 12-years-old are free.

There will be free parking and handicapped parking will be available by following the signs.

Belew thanked all of the volunteers who have worked for over a year to organize the event.

“There’s so many folks in it and it’s all for the best cause,” Belew said. He said all of the proceeds strictly stay in Rabun County.

“It’s a dedicated team. It’s a huge endeavor and we have an incredible committee,” Belew said.

So when you are in Rabun County this weekend, follow the sound of the Bluegrass music because you can’t beat a good time.

“Just come to Dillard and look for the big top,” Belew said.

For more information, visit www.dillardbluegrass.org or follow Dillard Bluegrass Festival on Facebook. Dillard City Hall is located at 892 Franklin St. Dillard, Ga. Sponsors include American Pest Control; Budweiser; Belew Heat & Air; Koster Equipment Sales & Rentals; Leaf Guard; Poss Realty; Roy DeFoor; South State Bank; Tiny Life Homes; Toccoa Natural Gas; United Community Bank; Bad Byron’s Butt Rub; Carron Grist; Duvall Automotive; First American Bank; Northeast Georgia Heating & Air; Rabun County Bank; Reeves Ace Hardware; R.M. Rose and Company Distillers.; Salon 259; Tomlin Barbeque; Vulcan Materials; and Willow Valley RV Resort.