Bluegrass Festival draws huge crowds to downtown Raleigh
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The twang of mountain music filled the atmosphere as thousands converged into downtown Raleigh for this year's Wide Open Bluegrass Street Festival.
It's the free block party portion of the five-day celebration which runs from noon until 11p.m. Friday and Saturday.
More than 85 bands on three stages along Fayetteville Street serve as the main attraction. Other areas feature food, rides, local vendors and a pitch to tour other parts of North Carolina.
"Bluegrass and mountain music is such an integral part of the Boone and Blowing Rock area, so it was just a natural fit for us to be down here," said Watauga County Tourism Director Wright Tilley, whose group sponsored a climbing wall and other activities to inform visitors about Boone.
"We're having the time of our lives," said Alvin Wilson of Johnston County.
Last year, Wilson skipped out on the festival, but came this year because of the rave reviews.
"I heard it was a lot of fun and so far it has been," Wilson added.
Last year's event attracted about 140,000 from across the U.S. and around the world which generated $9.28 million to the local economy.
With new visitors like Jessica Phillips, of Raleigh, those numbers will likely grow -- cementing Raleigh's reputation among bluegrass buffs.
"Nashville garners you know more of a reputation for hosting music things like that, and Raleigh's just up and coming. Makes me proud to be a Raleighite," said Phillips.
