All the recreational vehicle parking lots at Lenoir Community College are filled and all the advance tickets sold for the Neuse River Music Fest, Jeanne Kennedy, executive director of the LCC Foundation, said.
“According to ticket sales,” she said, “this will be our best festival ever.”
Stan and Patty Padgett of Hampstead were two of many out-of-towners camping in their RV this weekend on the campus.
“Last year, we came by accident,” Patty Padgett said. “This time we decided we would camp.”
The two purchased VIP tickets this year. Stan Padgett said he enjoys the music and meeting the musicians — a VIP benefit.
“He’d rather listen to bluegrass music than eat when he’s hungry,” Patty Padgett said about her husband.
Bob Stanley of Southport was also camping at the festival with his wife.
“It’s a good place to be at,” he said, “because I play music.” He plays guitar, banjo and base guitar, but he didn’t bring his instruments along with him, he said when asked if he would play a piece during the break.
Kennedy said the high turnout may be because of the strong lineup, including Rhonda Vincent and Gene Watson playing today.
Samantha Casey & the Bluegrass Jam opened the show on Friday. Casey, 16, of Pine Level, began playing fiddle at the age of 5.
“My earliest memories were sitting around the campfire at bluegrass festivals,” she said, “and listening to daddy playing music.”
Her father, Daniel Casey, said this is the third year the group has played at the festival and regularly plays at the monthly bluegrass shows held at LCC. He said the winter festival kicks off the bluegrass season. The band played one of his favorite songs, “Uncle Ben.”
“This is one we try to play wherever we go,” he said. “And it’s our tribute to the father of bluegrass music, Mr. Bill Monroe. We call it the National Anthem of bluegrass music.”
The proceeds from the festival support scholarships for students attending LCC.
Dr. Brantley Briley, LCC president, said in Friday’s opening ceremony that he hopes when the attendees leave, “… you feel like you got a good value for your financial investment and you can’t wait to come back next year.”
Tickets at the door are available for $45 each today.
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
Today’s events at Neuse River Music Fest
1 p.m. Doors open
2 p.m. Opening ceremony
2:10 and 6 p.m. Al Batten & the Bluegrass Reunion
3 and 6:50 p.m. James King Band
3:50 and 9 p.m. Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
4:30 p.m. Songwriting contest
5 p.m. VIP reception with Vincent and Watson
7:40 p.m. Gene Watson
Lenoir Community College Gym, N.C. 70 East
Tickets available at the door, $45