Excitement continues atop Roan Mountain for 2017.
Just mere weeks removed from their official designation as an Appalachian Trail Community, the Roan Mountain Citizens Club announced the entertainment lineup for the 71st annual Rhododendron Festival – scheduled for June 17-18 in the Roan Mountain State Park campground area.
This year’s festival boasts a solid lineup of different artists, according to Roan Mountain Citizens Club President Brian Tipton.
Entertainment taking part is this year’s schedule includes:
Saturday, June 17
• 9-10 a.m. – Open Mic
• 10-11 a.m. – Jona Riddle and Carolina Express
• 11 a.m. to noon – Boss Family
• 1-2 p.m. – T.V. & The Moonshiners
• 2-2:05 p.m. – Scholarship Presentation
• 2:05-3 p.m. – Siam Symphony
• 3-4 p.m. – Jim & Cheri Miller
• 4-5 p.m. – Mountain Rose
Sunday, June 18
• 10 a.m. to noon – Open Mic
• Noon to 1 p.m. – Art & Friends
• 1-2 p.m. – Dan Henderson & Family
• 2-3 p.m. – Black Hat Mission
• 3-4 p.m. – The Tim Hughes Family
• 4-5 p.m. – Greater Glory
“It is always a great time,” Tipton said about the festival. “We appreciate all the support from the community. Each year the festival just seems to grow larger.”
Last year’s festival brought a variety to the table, Tipton added. With 2016 being stated as “one of the largest crowds” for a festival, The president said he hopes to see a growth for this year.
“It is hard to guess, honestly,” Tipton said when asked about possible attendance for this year. “I know last year was one of our better-attended festivals. We’re also coming off the Appalachian Trail designation, too, which is a great thing.”
The name also played a hand in the develop for this year’s t-shirt, Tipton said. The Club President has handled the creation of the shirt over the past few years and added the recent designation played a role in his design. The shirt, which will be available during the festival, is set with a price tag of $12 and includes a design of mountains, a trail, foliage and the traditional three-state emblem for the state.
Other items will be on sale during the event, including Club cookbooks, Roan Mountain license plates and other goodies by the organization. The funds raised by the group go toward assisting variety projects and causing, Tipton said, including the organization’s scholarship fund. The team also makes regular donations to the Roan Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, the state park and various other entities.
For more information on the festival and other events offered by the Club, visit their website at roanmountain.com or visit the Roan Mountain Citizens Club Facebook page online.