Graves' Mountain Festival of Music - May 31st & June 1st & 2nd, 2012 - Syria, VA

Yes, the time has, once again, rolled around for the Graves' Mountain Festival of Music, this being the 20th year.  My time does fly when fun is being had.  Graves Mountain Lodge and the grounds surrounding it are, indeed, a beautiful spot in Virginia.  Nestled just below the crest of Virginia' Blue Ridge Mountains, there is hardly a more spectacular spot for Bluegrass music to ring through the air.  

So now I think you have an idea of the beauty at Graves' Mountain lodge; now lets talk about what you can expect when you arrive.

First and foremost, this has been the most mis-understood thing about The Graves' Mountain Festival of Music. camping completely free with the purchase of a 3 DAY TICKET!  If you arrive on Saturday expecting to purchase a one day ticket and to camp. Forget it.  Clearly the flyer and all ads for the festival state that camping is free with a 3-Day ticket. not a one day ticket.  So, if you come in Saturday with a camper you will be expected to buy a 3-DAY TICKET and then camping is free, as it is to everyone. Understand??? So, my question to you is, if you're planning to come and camp, then why not come for all three days like the rest of us?  The cost will be the same and you'll get to hear lots more Bluegrass that way.  It's just common sense.

Food!  FOOD!!!  Now, you can bring your own, if you wish, but the Graves' Mountain Lodge is famous for the great meals they serve and the festival is presented by Jimmy Graves and his family, so why would you expect less at the festival?  On Thursday night the serve up some mouth watering and tasty BBQ Ribs with all the expected fixing, panned apples, fries and other veggies.  But wait, while you can get this great meal for the entire weekend, or until supplies run out, on Friday they serve up a spectacular Rainbow Trout dinner.  Saturday is their traditional Steak Night with a very tasty Rib Eye (The King of Steaks!) Steak dinner with baked potato, fries, etc.  So, yeah, bring along your own food and cook and clean and worry about ice, etc.  But why???

This year, I've heard many folks say, has a very different line-up.  Okay, they didn't say, "very different" but you get my drift.  I want to quickly go through the list for each day.  Let's start with Thursday, appearing will be: Dark Hollow; The U.S. Navy Band Country Current; Junior Sisk & Rambler's Choice; Goldwing Express and The Gibson Brothers.  Coming up on Friday is another, but distinctly more varied list of groups, Shenandoah Drive; The Snyder Family; Monroeville; Stetson & Cia (Of Cherryholmes fame); The Rockin' Acoustic Circus and The Carolina Chocolate Drops.  Saturday boasts an even more eclectic mixture of performers, The Moore Brothers Band; Mark Templeton & Pocket Change; Mark Newton's Stillhouse Band; Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen; The Cleverlys; Balsam Range and The Quebe Sisters.

So there you have it.  The Graves' Mountain Festival of Music.  Make plans to attend.  I'm afraid budget constraints and the price of gas may well keep me home this time, (Gosh I hate to miss it!) but I want to hear lots of stories from you as you tell me about your trip to the 2012 edition of The Graves' Mountain Festival of Music.

"NUFF SAID!"