TOP PHOTO: Performers and volunteers at the very first Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival.

CARYVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – With the Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival fast approaching, organizers seek volunteers for this year’s festival. It takes over 100 volunteers to make the festival happen, and organizers would love to count you among them. Duties include setting up, helping vendors and performers know where to go, directing parking, greeting at the entrance table, and more. All volunteers receive a free T-shirt and free bottled water.

To volunteer, visit louiebluie.org/volunteer. You may also email Maureen O’Connell at maureenoconnell75@gmail.com.

They’re also looking for participants for the quilt competition, food vendors, and volunteers. Come and be a part of this rich tradition of honoring Campbell County’s musical heritage!

The festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24, in Caryville, Tennessee, and is a celebration of roots music in Appalachia.

Inspired by Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, this music and arts festival aims to bring together some of the strongest talent in the region. This year’s festival features a double headliner: the Jake Leg Stompers, and Tray Wellington.

Additional performers will be announced later on, so be sure to follow the festival’s Facebook page for updates. You can also visit louiebluie.org for more information.

Crafters and food vendors wanted

Crafters whose work shows originality, craftsmanship, quality of design, and appropriateness to the Appalachian tradition are highly encouraged to apply. Festival organizers are looking for individual artists and school art clubs who are dedicated to encouraging the arts. In the past, some examples have included pottery, jewelry, homemade soaps and candles, marshmallow launchers, walking sticks, local authors and fine art.

Booths are available for $60 per 10 x 10 ft. space, limited to two spaces. Electricity is available at an additional cost of $15/booth, but limited due to number of park outlets.

All applications will be reviewed by a committee and participation is subject to approval. This is to prevent too many vendors from offering the same items.

The deadline for crafters to register is Aug. 31. The food vendor’s deadline to register is Sept. 1. In the past, the festival has drawn around 8,000 visitors, so many vendors are needed to keep them from going hungry! Six vendors are still needed for the 2022 festival. Mobile food trucks and church and community groups are encouraged to apply. These will also be subject to approval.

The following vendors have already applied: Organic Roots, Rainbo, Sweets and Treats, and Cruisin Cafe.

About the Louie Bluie Festival

The festival takes place at Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, a town in the heart of mountain music country. Historically, Campbell County is a place steeped in music, and today is no different. It’s the home of Armstrong, the festival’s namesake, who grew up in LaFollette in the 1920s and was an incredibly talented black string band virtuoso. He was an artist, a storyteller and a writer who mastered the fiddle, mandolin and guitar.

Plan now to be there! The festival begins at 10 a.m. with continuous family-friendly fun until 6 p.m. Visit our website to find out how to volunteer and to sign up.

This project is supported in part by the Arts and Culture Alliance, the National Endowment of the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, City of LaFollette, Town of Jacksboro, numerous local businesses, and citizens of Campbell County. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/21/2022-6AM)

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