The South has a long, storied history with the making of American music. From the gospel tunes that emerged from Southern traditions to those Mississippi Delta blues, we have a storied tradition of making music that builds new styles throughout the generations.
On October 12th, Huntsville celebrated one of these traditions from the Appalachian Mountains by English, Irish, and Scottish immigrants. This sound would influence Americana music all over. Huntsville’s Bluegrass and BBQ Festival is an annual event celebrating this genre, an opportunity to spend a little time in the community (and enjoy some fantastic food).
The festival starts in the afternoon and continues into the evening in Southside Park. So, while this year’s fest has passed, what can you expect next time you’re looking for a family-friendly event on a beautiful October afternoon?
The Venue: South Huntsville’s Southside Park
When we arrived for the festival, the event was already in full swing at the park. A nearby field was used as a handy parking lot, with plenty of room for the many people already gathered there to see the bands play. This was an easy, pleasant walk—the weather was perfect, without a cloud in the sky, and the view was spectacular. Southside Park lies at the foot of the surrounding mountains, so the backdrop to this festival is the same sort of mountains from the same range where that high, lonesome sound was born. Fitting, right?
Now, remember that you will need your chair or a picnic blanket. While some chairs seemed to be provided, this will be your best option. Also, consider bringing an umbrella, as the cloudless sky was a little toasty for those on the pale side.
The festival takes place at the entrance to the park. A small stage, big enough for the performers, elevates them above the sitting crowd around the first part of the park you reach. Beyond that are the bathrooms, then the rest of the park. To the left, a small dog park meant plenty of furry friends were passing by to enjoy the music, too. Several food trucks have set up along this route along the strip of road that leads to the park, but we will get into their offerings soon.
All these factors created a comfortable, cozy atmosphere without making it feel like this was a small gathering. Hundreds visited and listened throughout the day, but with plenty of room to find a seat with your group and listen to the music, there was enough room for everyone.
Putting the BBQ in the Bluegrass and BBQ Fest
As you might have guessed from other entries on our site, this writer is a big fan of good food. Fortunately, the folks behind the Huntsville Bluegrass and BBQ Festival did not miss out on finding some of Huntsville’s best food trucks to invite to this event. While we did not try the full scope of these offerings, as we could only eat so much, all the food we tried or caught a whiff of as someone walked by was excellent.
I first sent my partner to retrieve something shortly after we arrived, letting him surprise me with their barbecue offerings. During the first two bands, we enjoyed barbecue chicken smothered fries plate. This is one of those fries dishes that require a fork unless you would instead find yourself covered in cheese, a mildly spicy sauce, bacon, and tender barbecue chicken. The fries were perfectly crisp and crunchy, adding that much-needed texture a dish like this needs. Paired with a can of Coke, we had the fuel we needed for some toe-tapping music.
Sometime after this, we found ourselves craving something sweet. This time, I explored and found a shaved ice truck with quite a line. I wasn’t the only one with a sweet tooth. These snow cones kept him cool in the heat of the afternoon. While admittedly, the weather is getting much cooler, there is still a secret benefit to having a snow cone this late in the year: you don’t have to worry about it melting!
The Performers
We caught every group on display, and each brought its twist on the bluegrass style. Each band is worth checking out, so I’ve given them a little room below.
Jim & Inge Wood
These first performers brought that classic bluegrass sound you expect from this event. All the songs we caught were classic tunes, so if you’re a bluegrass fan from way back, they may be the group for you. Perhaps the highlight of their performance for our audience was a sing-along version of “I’ll Fly Away,” a big hit with the crowd.
Jim & Inge Wood can be found on Spotify and other places where you may find music.
The Grasstronauts
The second group took a much more modern turn on the bluegrass sound. You can expect covers of contemporary country and bluegrass artists such as Jason Isbell and The Punch Brothers, bluegrass covers of other artists like Coldplay, and even some original work that might get new listeners interested in that particular sound.
Check out The Grasstronauts on their Bandcamp page.
The Ancient Tones
The Ancient Tones bring the festival back to a more classic bluegrass style with abundant, astounding talent. Their mandolin, banjo, and fiddle players are all former national champions, and their work shines through their sound. Again, they performed a mix of classic bluegrass anthems and modern and original work.
You can find more opportunities to see The Ancient Tones on their Facebook page.
The Becky Buller Band
The final performance was the Becky Buller Band, a bluegrass band led by the classically trained violinist Becky Buller. Although it may have been the end of the day, the band brought energy and excitement to the festival, keeping people bobbing along and tapping their feet until the end of the evening.
The Becky Buller Band offers more information on its website here. You can also purchase her newest album, Jubilee, released in May 2024, through her website, so don’t hesitate to check out her work.
Hear a Little Picking and Grinning in South Huntsville
If you’re a bluegrass fan looking for a way to while away an afternoon, don’t hesitate to check out the event next year. You can expect to hear local music, support local artists, and get great food from local food trucks. If you’re not a fan, give it a try anyway—a free event might introduce you to new music and new performers you might not have found a love for. Besides, there’s nothing better than a day in the park with friends and loved ones, right?
Watch for other events hosted by the South Huntsville Business Association. You may find closer events coming soon; if they are as good as their bluegrass festival, you won’t want to miss them.
Sign up for the Homely Huntsville newsletter to stay up to date on Huntsville.
