SEVIERVILLE’S BLOOMIN’ BBQ
Music & Food Festival
Sevierville’s eighteenth annual Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival will take place May 20-21, 2022. This family-friendly event will once again bring barbeque cook teams from all over the United States to Sevierville to compete for $17,500 in cash and prizes and the title of Tennessee State Champion in the Bush’s Best TN State Championship Cook Off. Rounding out the event is toe-tapping music on three stages, incredible arts and crafts, kids’ games and the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition honoring Sevierville’s favorite hometown girl, Dolly Parton.
Take a little time to visit with the barbeque cook teams you’ve seen on cable channels like the Food Network as you stroll through the “Que Zone.” Then make sure you bring a lawn chair for the free concerts with rising stars and musical legends. Friday night’s lineup on the Swaggerty’s Farm Main Stage includes Kat Wright, Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier, Appalachian Road Show and headliner Dan Tyminski Band. On the Bush’s Best Community Stage, catch performances from fiddle phenom Evie Andrus and a set from pop artist Kylie Odetta. Catch performances from local dance teams and civic groups on the Back Porch Stage throughout the event.
On Saturday catch live performances from The ETSU Old Time Band, The Family Sowell, Sideline, The Jacob Jolliff Band, Arlo McKinley, and legendary bluegrass jam band Leftover Salmon on the Swaggerty’s Farm Main Stage. Saturday shows scheduled for the Bush’s Best Community Stage include Catfish & The Bottom, Suspended Jesses, Kelle Jolly, Sailing to Denver, and Andrea & Mud.
On Saturday, the competition starts early. Watch as championship cook teams turn in their competition meats. Then stay for the announcement of BBQ champs at 4pm. During the competition, the teams will cook an estimated 2,832 pounds of meat including 20 pounds of pulled pork, 24 pounds of brisket, 5 pounds of chicken and 10 pounds of ribs each. Winning teams will receive recognition in Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket as well as specialty categories like “Anything Swaggerty’s Farm Sausage,” “Anything Bush Beans,” and Dessert.
The Kids’ Zone adds fun and enrichment for kids and families who attend Bloomin’ BBQ. Enjoy the Days Gone By area presented by Sevier County Government, and additional children’s attractions and games – all of which will remain open until approximately 9pm each day of the event.
Nearly 50 artists and crafters will be part of Sevierville’s Bloomin’ BBQ – showcasing items from handmade jewelry and art to home decorator items.
Musicians can get in on the fun during Friday night’s Late Night Jam. The jam, which takes place the night of Friday, May 20 at Trotter’s Whole Hog BBQ in downtown Sevierville, is a great way to keep the music going from 10pm until midnight!
History buffs are invited to come along on one of four Historic Walking Tours throughout downtown Sevierville led by area historians and volunteers. Plan to take a tour on Friday, May 20 at 6pm, or Saturday May 21 at 10am, 2pm or 4pm. The tours are sponsored by Smokies Investors Real Estate.
A highlight of Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival is the 18th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals held on May 21. Finalists from around the nation will sing their hearts out for a chance to win cash and prizes. This competition, the only one of its kind that festival organizers know of, honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton. Competitors, male and female, must sing a song written by Dolly Parton (there are over 3,000) and do so in their own style (rock, rap, country, bluegrass, swing, soul, etc.).
Admission to Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival and the concerts are free thanks to great sponsors, including the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce which encourages you to stay in Sevierville while visiting the event. For great lodging and more information about Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival, call (888) 889-7415 or visit us online at www.BloominBBQ.com.
