CARYVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- The Big day is approaching. Louie Bluie Day is next month.

The BIG DAY approaches!

Yes, folks, the 2026 Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival arrives on September 26, 2026! Join us from 10 AM to 6 PM at Cove Lake State Park, Caryville, TN. Festival admission and parking are FREE! We accept voluntary donations at the entrance gates. Your generous donations help make this event possible!

Get ready for some great music!

Introducing some NEW additions to our 3 stage musical lineup

Will Boyd and Kelle Jolly  of Asheville, NC! The musical artistry of this duo is beyond compare. 

Will is a multi reed instrumentalist, composer, educator and live performer. He has several albums to his name. 

Kelle is famous as the “Ukulele Lady”, a well-known member of the Knoxville music scene, and a recording artist with albums titled “Tennessee Ukulele Lady, Vol.1, 2024” and “Dreams of Muroran” that she released together with Will. Both artists have performed at the Big Ears Music Festival. Please visit the artists’ respective Facebook pages for more information on their art and careers.

As a special Festival music feature, Kelle will also be hosting a children’s orchestral performance! Kelle, in partnership with the Campbell Culture Coalition, the Boys and Girls Club of LaFollette, and with the generous grant sponsorship of the Appalachian Community Trust FOCIS Fund, will conduct a live music performance with children from Campbell County at Louie Bluie. 

This performance will be the capstone of a multi-week workshop lead by Kelle and conducted at the Boys and Girls Club, where the students will learn live performance, storytelling, and the history of Appalachian Folk and String Band music. During the educational program, Kelly will guide the students in learning how to perform a live musical piece for an audience, and deepen their understanding of the importance of music in their community.

A warm welcome to the newly booked  Absynthe All Stars, a local favorite in Knoxville. They are a sextet inspired by the Romani guitarist Django Reinhardt, with the unmistakable flair of the 1930s jazz scene. 

This multi-piece band brings the artistry of: Larry Vincent  (guitar), Jonathan Maness (acoustic guitar and vocals), Sarah Jean Cammisano  (violin and vocals), Misha Goldman  (acoustic bass),  Valerie Sanders  (vocals, clarinet, flute, trumpet and melodica), and  Martin Whittaker  (drums). This band is sure to get you on your feet!

Don’t miss a beat with our other WONDERFUL performers:
Candice Ivory
Sean “Mack” McDonald
Natti Love Joys
The Lonetones
The Grassy Creek Bluegrass Band
Sparky & Rhonda Rucker
And More!
 

The crafters village is taking shape!  Applications for craft vendors remain open until August 30.  Please visit our website to apply. Our Festival has crafts for everyone! Whether you’re looking for something to give as a gift, or to add to your personal collection, our Appalachian inspired crafters are sure to delight!

 Judged Youth Art Exhibited!   A cornerstone of a vibrant arts community is inspiring youth to create art. The Festival seeks to inspire and encourage youth artists in the community. Please be sure to show your support for local youth art by visiting our youth art competition and exhibit tent. 

This year‘s competition will be judged by  Rhys Manis, a graphic artist and creative.  And, an exhibit of the artwork of Howard Armstrong will be featured in the art tent. Come see how Howard continues to inspire and motivate artists in our community.

Food!  Glorious Food!   This year, our food court will offer burgers and fries, soul food, tacos, coffee, custom sodas, ice cream, and vegan options. Please bring your appetite!

Thirsty?   The Festival will be offering multiple water stations throughout the Festival grounds to help keep you hydrated during the day. In addition, we offer a dog watering station at the Festival Headquarters Tent. Please ask anyone wearing a blue Festival STAFF t-shirt to guide you to water locations.

The Quilt Competition and Show is accepting entries until September 23! Please visit the quilt section of the festival website for details on entering the competition. When visiting the festival, be sure to stop by the quilt exhibit at the Cove Lake Park Pavilion building. The Pavilion is uphill from the Festival, it can be found by exiting the uphill Festival entrance. Please look for signage and feel free to catch a ride with our golf cart shuttles if you need assistance.

Quiz Time:  It’s free to attendees, but the cost of producing it is not.  WHO helps pay for the festival?

(Answer -> SPONSORS)

Thank you, Thank you! Major Sponsors! 

Without the financial platform made possible by arts organizations, local and state governments, hometown businesses, and festival friends, this event simply wouldn’t happen. With each eblast, we will tell you who they are and what they mean to the community and us.

The LaFollette Utilities Board

The LaFollette Utilities Board is a municipally-owned utility in LaFollette, Tennessee, that supplies electricity, water, and wastewater services to over 23,000 electric customers across Campbell, Claiborne, and Union counties. It purchases wholesale power from the Tennessee Valley Authority and treats water sourced from Norris Lake.

Town of Caryville

Caryville, TN is the scenic southern approach into beautiful Campbell County. Surrounded by the   Cumberland Mountains, The Town of Caryville is the municipal host for the Festival at Cove Lake Park. The Mayor and Aldermen have provided generous support for the Festival, and help keep this event free of charge for all attendees. 

Litho-Craft Printing & Office Supplies 

Litho-Craft Printing & Office Supplies is a local business providing commercial printing and office supplies in La Follette, Tennessee. It serves local residents and businesses with paper goods, custom print jobs, and office essentials. Every brochure and map for the Festival has been supported by the generous donation of Litho-Craft.

Tennessee Arts Commission

The Festival is financially supported in part by  The Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC). 

A key component of the commission’s stability is its unique, dedicated funding stream from the sale of specialty license plates. These monies support music education, theater programs, murals, and maker spaces in schools and nonprofits.

You can support Tennessee arts by purchasing one of four specialty license plates whose sales directly benefit TAC grants. It’s easy. Purchase or exchange your current plate for an arts plate at any local county clerk’s office. County clerks charge an additional $1 fee for a specialty plate, making the fee $36 for specialty plates, plus the standard state registration fee and any wheel taxes imposed by local governments.

Are you interested in getting your name included as a festival sponsor? Contact Manual Mesa:  mmesa82@outlook.com.  Learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Additional festival information is available at  LouieBluie.org. For information about the Campbell Culture Coalition, visit  campbellculturecoalition.org. 

The Louie Bluie Planning Committee:  The Louie Bluie Planning Committee: Chris Durman, Diane Matheson, Emerallia Lawson, Gary Heatherly,  Janice Tocher, Jennifer Hoffman, Jocelyn W. Griffo, Karen Clear, Kelle Jolly, Kiren Anderson, Lauren Huffman, Leah Kitts, Maggie Adams, Manuel Mesa, Maureen O’Connell, Nelsie Wooden, Sean McCollough, Shannon Pearson, Starla Giles, Tom Slanker, and Vikki Burns!

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