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Wlaf1450Look!! Gigs just added to Louie Bluie Festival line-up
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
CARYVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- It’s September! The Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival is Saturday, SEPTEMBER 20 at Cove Lake State Park, Caryville, TN. Don’t miss out on all the incredible entertainment, talented artists, and fun for the whole family!
Look!! Gigs just added:
- The Nick Horner Family – Knoxville-based Nick Horner Family blends old-time lyricism, modern jazz harmony, and rock energy
- Y’uns Jugband – Y’uns are a good time acoustic band that blend jug band music with elements of swing, country, and blues
- J.Bu$h – J.Bu$h is a hip-hop artist and producer from Knoxville, Tennessee, dedicated to creating music that reflects growth and self-discovery
- Nancy Brennan Strange – back by popular demand – swing, jazzy notes and a hint of nostalgia.
These new gigs join our previously announced 2025 performers that will be playing in one of the grounds tents. See a list of our current performer bios.
PLUS, hop on up the hill to Rickard’s Ridge Restaurant and enjoy their entertainers:
- Rickard’s Ridge Pickers with John Overton, Powell, TN
- The Lonesome Steel Rails with Travis Wright and band, Caryville
- Good News Gospel Singing Revival with Roscoe Lindsay, LaFollette
- Southern Grace with Carl Miller, Knoxville
* Family NATURE-ing
Music isn’t all there is! No siree! KIDS (of all ages) can celebrate Tennessee’s official animal, the mischievous and remarkable RACCOON, by creating a take-home “Louie Raccoon” using pine cones. This hands-on craft event starts at 1:00 p.m. and continues until supplies are gone.
Other activities in the Family NATURE-ing area:
- Learn about this adorable critter that is familiar to all!
- Identify animal skulls and insects at the Sierra Club’s Inspiring Connections Outdoors!
- Find pre-school nature books at Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library!
- Visit exhibits by Scouts BSA troops (boys and girls)!
Nature is where KIDS (OF ALL AGES) find outdoor experiences at the Louie Bluie!
Don’t overlook judged student art in the ArtSpace Tent!
Crafts, Art (and Authors)!
It’s smart to arrive early to select the best! Amazing handmade crafts for sale. Exciting books by local authors for your home library! Lots of craft, art and author vendors, pitched beside select non-profits with a message about their humanitarian causes (some sell some terrific items)!
Hungry?
Oh, you will be when your nose catches whiffs of the best foods ever to fragrant up the breeze! 15 food vendors, all with different menus to fill your tummy and put a smile on your face. Tacos, ice cream, sandwiches of every description. Something new called “Waffly Good!”
BALONEY!
What? Baloney? Indeed!
Good old Appalachian-style baloney sandwiches hot off the grill! Fits your wallet too! All sales at the Baloney tent benefit the Festival and the non profit Doorway Gourmet!
Quilt Competition
They’re not your grandmother’s quilts, anymore!
Last call to register for the quilt judging! Deadline September 16th.
Entries will be judged by the highly qualified Mary Dacros of Cleveland, OH. Ribbons awarded through third place; cash award for Best of Show with additional recognition through People’s Choice balloting during the festival.
And for goodness sake, go up the hill to the Pavilion (some call it Rec Building) and immerse yourself in the beauty, creativity and skills exhibited in fantastic quilting art! Mobility challenged? Find a human wearing a Louie Bluie STAFF tee and ask for a golf cart to take you there!
Read the Quilt Show Rules and apply online.
Youth Visual Art Competition
Judges in the past have actually asked if some entries really were the work of students! Competition accepts high school age students grades 9-12 and middle school age students grades 6-8, any student, regardless of school classification or county of residence.
Entries will be judged by Georgea Green, retired art teacher of forty-one years at Campbell County Comprehensive High School. Ribbons through third place; cash award to Best of Show and – just like Quilts – additional recognition from People’s Choice balloting during the exhibit! See them in the ArtSpace tent! For more information, go to louiebluie.org or contact Chair Leah Kitts at leahhk@gmail.com for answers.
Volunteer!
Be the gold dust of our event! Simply can’t make it happen without about 100+ volunteers, all of whom receive a festival t-shirt, unlimited water bottles, and our deepest gratitude for a couple hours of your time! You can register online or contact Volunteer Coordinator Maureen O’Connell at maureenoconnell75@gmail.com.
Business and grantors that make it happen!
The festival is free, the cost of producing it is not. Without the financial support made possible by local government, state government, local businesses and friends, there would be no celebration. We recognize the dedication to our community and to Howard’s festival and deeply appreciate your support!
Major Sponsors
- Tennessee Arts Commission
- Lawson Family Foundation
- Y-12 Federal Credit Union
- Powell Clinch Utility District
- Campbell County Government
- Town of Caryville
Major Sponsors
- Campbell County Chamber of Commerce
- LaFollette Utilities
- City of LaFollette
- ORNL Federal Credit Union
- United Cumberland Bank
- Tennessee State Parks
Media and Other Sponsors
- WLAF AM FM TV & DOTCOM
- Volunteer Times (Facebook)
- The LaFollette Press
- WATE-TV Channel 6, Knoxville
- LithoCraft Printing Services
Free Admission
Free admission and parking to attend the festival, however donations are encouraged to help the Campbell Culture Coalition support and provide engaging arts and music opportunities within our community.
Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this one-of-a-kind celebration of music and art in the heart of Appalachia. Join us on September 20, 2025, for a day filled with incredible performances, unique artworks, and memories that will linger way after the festival is over.
We appreciate the Tennessee Arts Commission (support the TN Specialty License Plate Program!) and National Endowment for the Arts for their funding and support of the Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival.
Additional festival information is available. For information about the Campbell Culture Coalition.
A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.
For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE.
(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-09/08/2025-6AM)