YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE 2012 FOOTHILLS FALL FESTIVAL
From Staff Reports
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, Oct. 12-14
WHERE: Jack Greene Park (formerly Theater in the Park), downtown Maryville
BACKGROUND: City of Maryville officials announced in 1999 that the first Foothills Fall Festival would take place the following year, patterned loosely after the Hillbilly Homecoming celebration held in the 1960s. The inaugural festival took place Oct. 13-15, 2000, at Theater in the Park; tickets costs $20 and the entertainment lineup includes the Atlanta Rhythm Section and Classic Rock All-Stars on Friday; Ronnie McDowell, Johnny Rivers, Blackhawk, Lee Ann Womack and Mark Chesnutt on Saturday; and Ricky Van Shelton on Sunday. Over the next decade, the event brought in some of the biggest names in country music and classic rock — the Oak Ridge Boys and Three Dog Night in 2001; Jerry Lee Lewis and George Jones in 2002; K.C. and the Sunshine Band and Alabama in 2003; Mary Wilson and The Supremes and Gretchen Wilson in 2004; Bo Diddley and Lonestar in 2005; Buddy Guy, The Wreckers and Little Big Town in 2006; Big & Rich and REO Speedwagon in 2007; Foreigner and Kenny Rogers in 2008; Kansas and Alan Jackson in 2009; .38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blake Shelton in 2010; Reba, The Band Perry, Sara Evans and Chicago in 2011.
THE CONCERTS
THIS YEAR: At Jack Greene Park
GATES OPEN: At 5 p.m. Friday, noon on Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday
TICKETS: $60 for a three-day pass; children 10 and younger are free with a paid adult admission. Tickets are good for all three days, so keep up with yours — festival organizers can’t replace lost or stolen tickets. After tickets are scanned, patrons will receive a wristband at the gate that must be worn in order to leave/enter and inside Jack Greene Park at all times. Wristbands cannot be replaced. Various levels of reserved seating are still for sale as well.
SEATING: General admission — first-come, first-serve, unless you purchased reserved seat tickets. Patrons can bring a regular-sized folding lawn chair; oversized chairs with footrests or coverings are not allowed. Chairs are available for rent as well. Blankets are only allowed on the hill behind Pistol Creek. Chairs cannot be left in the theater overnight. Reserved seat holders are assigned the seats printed on their tickets; everyone in the reserved section, including children, must have a ticket, which should be presented at the entrance to the reserved section.
NOT ALLOWED: Alcohol, weapons, pets (other than service animals), umbrellas (rain gear or like protection only), coolers
LINING UP: Camping out overnight to be the first through the gates is a tradition for some festival-goers. Keep in mind, though, changing weather conditions during an East Tennessee October, and be prepared. Sidewalks must be kept clear, so no tents or air mattresses. No saving a spot for someone else in line.
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE: Steve Rutledge and Stranded at 6 p.m., Jerrod Niemann at 7 p.m., Gary Allan at 8 p.m. Artist websites: http://www.steverutledgemusic.com, http://www.jerrodniemannofficial.com, http://www.garyallan.com
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE: Jesse Gregory at 12:45 p.m., Jeff Jopling Band at 1:45 p.m., Kudzu at 2:45 p.m., Bridgette Tatum at 3:45 p.m., Lauren Alaina at 5:30 p.m., Andy Grammer at 7 p.m., Train at 8:30 p.m. Artist websites — http://jessegregory.com , http://www.reverbnation.com, http://www.facebook.com, http://www.bridgettetatum.com, http://www.laurenalainaofficial.com, http://www.andygrammer.com, http://savemesanfrancisco.com
SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE: Pistol Creek Catch of the Day at 2:30 p.m., Brad Blackwell at 3:45 p.m., The Farm at 5 p.m., Thompson Square at 6:15 p.m., Darius Rucker at 8 p.m. Artist websites — http://www.facebook.com, http://www.bradblackwellmusic.com, http://www.thefarmmusic.com, http://www.thompsonsquare.com , http://www.dariusrucker.com
THE DOWNTOWN ARTWAY
WHAT: Juried Arts and Craft Show held on Broadway Avenue in downtown Maryville, featuring hand-made products in a variety of media including pottery, baskets, photography and fine art, jewelry, woodworking and more. Free entertainment and activities are located throughout the show including traditional craft demonstrations, street theater, face painting and acoustic concerts in front of the old Roy’s Record Shop building.
HOURS: Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
TICKETS: None needed
MUSIC SCHEDULE: ArtWay performances take place on the Roy’s Stage, next to the old Roy’s Record Shop building at 128 W. Broadway Ave. Friday — Hugh Livingston and the Silver Project at noon, The Outdoor Sisters and Jamie Russell at 1:30 p.m., St. Paul AME Zion Sanctuary Choir at 3 p.m., a songwriters’ circle at 4:30 p.m. Saturday — Roy Garrett with family and friends at 10 a.m., John “The Gritte Fritter” Dupree at 11:30 a.m., Donnie and Debbie Barbra at 1 p.m., Marshall Ballew at 2:30 p.m., The Ensemble Swing Time Band at 4 p.m. Sunday — Bill Robinson and William Lovelace at noon, The Madelines at 1:30 p.m., Robert Anderson at 3 p.m., Guss Moon and The New Fidelity Five at 4:30 p.m.
ADVENTURE LAND
WHAT: An interactive zone of fun, games, shows and more for children of all ages, located along the Greenbelt below the Blount County Public Library and Pistol Creek Station.
HOURS: Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
TICKETS: None needed
COMMUNITY STAGE PERFORMANCES: Michael Messing Magic and Illusions — 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. daily. Balloon-atics — 2 and 4 p.m. daily and noon Saturday and Sunday
EXTREME STAGE: Caboodlestoppers at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. and 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday and 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Sunday
TWIGGY THE WATER-SKIING SQUIRREL: Performances at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Friday; 10:30 a.m. and 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Saturday; and 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
MORE INFO TO KNOW
DOWNTOWN ACTIVITIES: The Downtown Maryville Association will feature a number of activities and demonstrations at Preservation Plaza, Founder’s Square and on the street in front of Something Savory Bakery and Cafe
PARKING AND RIDING: The most convenient method of getting to and from downtown Maryville is by parking at Foothills Mall and catching the free shuttle service, which will pick up and drop off throughout the day at this location and at various locations throughout the festival. Shuttle service runs Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday night until the last guest has left the concert area. Service begins at 11 a.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. Wheelchair-accessible buses are available for guests with disabilities. Parking is also available at free municipal lots in downtown Maryville, including Founders Lot, Sam Houston and the Hannum Springs Lot.
SMOKING: In designated areas only
CALL: 273-3445
