Saturday, March 4th, 2006

ROCKWOOD ROCKS! THUNDER ROAD FESTIVAL SET FOR JUNE 17TH, 2006

ROCKWOOD - Eddie Bilbrey, civic group Rockwood 2000 announced that Saturday, June 17th will be the date for the annual Rockwood Rocks! Thunder Road Festival.  Bilbrey is being assisted by festival vice chair Pat Burdette. 

  "We are expanding the original Rockwood Rocks! festival to include the theme of Thunder Road," explained Bilbrey.  "Rockwood has historically been the thoroughfare for moonshiners and was part of the original Thunder Road.  At this year's festival, we are inviting classic car clubs to come and showcase their vehicles, plus we plan to  have food, antique and craft booths for people to browse."

    This year's festival will feature bluegrass music contracted by Betty Barrett, manager of Yonder Hollow, Rockwood's traditional style music gathering spot located within the historic Peterman Building in downtown Rockwood.  Music will be available in Yonder Hollow during the day and until around 9:00 p.m.  "We've got a speaker we can put outside in the late afternoon," said Barrett.  

    Yonder Hollow is Rockwood’s newest musical venue featuring “old timey” music and an atmosphere similar to the “O Brother, Where Art Thou” film, only without the performers singing into a can.  Shows run each Friday starting at 6:30 p.m. in the historic Peterman Building in downtown Rockwood.  Weekly audiences are growing each week to over 200+ currently, making it one of the fastest growing blue grass hot spots in the area. 

    A cash prize of $250 will be awarded to the Classic Car Club with the most entrants in the festival.  Cars can register between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on June 17th at the 1936 Tennessee Highway Patrol Museum where they will be directed to their parking area.  Entrants are strongly encouraged to contact Pat Burdette at 865-354-1005 or 865-354-9557 in advance to ensure ample space is allotted for their vehicles.  There is no entry fee for classic car owners.  Burdette is also the contact person for a particular type of donation. 

   "We are hoping to take advantage of people who may be involved in spring cleaning," laughed Burdette.  "Anyone with quart sized canning or fruit jars they are willing to donate can drop them off at the Classic Furniture store in Rockwood.  These jars will be used by Rockwood 2000 to sell beverages during the festival.  Some of the beverages will be clear with no color.  That's all I'm going to say about that."  

    "Whenever there were moonshiners, there were always revenue'rs," Bilbrey pointed out.  "Visitors can expect to run into Deputy Barney Fife during the afternoon who may be making arrests.  You never know, there may just be a still or two around Rockwood on that day, so people should keep their eyes peeled."

    Deputy Barney Fife is portrayed by well known local impersonator Sammy Sawyer. 

    The Rockwood Rocks! Thunder Road Festival takes place on the weekend corresponding with the Rockwood High School reunion.  Numerous people from many graduating classes in Rockwood return each year to visit and celebrate together. 

    Interested vendors should contact Burdette for booth space at phone numbers 865-354-1005 or 865-354-9557.  Booth spaces will be prioritized in the order reserved. 

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prepared by Beverly Stroh