PICKENS — The fourth annual Founders Day Music Festival was a victim of the rain spawned by Hurricane Joaquin, with festivities moved to Pickens High School gymnasium, but that didn’t thwart visitors from participating in the event.

Sponsored by the Pickens Revitalization Association, the festival is held each year to celebrate the cultural and musical heritage of the area with local crafts and food vendors as well as musicians performing bluegrass tunes.

“It was a little slow to begin with since the decision was made to change the location to the gym at the high school because of the weather,” said Amy Lark, a volunteer with the festival all four years. “But it started to pick up once we got underway. The high school was awesome to work with considering the awful storm and days of rain. It didn’t take them long to make a decision to let us come here so we could still carry on as usual.”

The festival was highlighted by musical performances by New Dixie Storm, County Clare and Volume Five on the stage of the gymnasium instead of Pickens Amphitheatre and bluegrass lovers didn’t miss a beat as they avoided the downpour and enjoyed the dry atmosphere.

“I was kind of disappointed with the rain and the fact everything was going to be held inside,” said Jimmy Bailey, a visitor to the festival. “We were looking forward to spending the day outside and listening to some good music, but this beats getting soaked or the show being cancelled.”

Even with the change of venues at the last minute, plenty of people were in attendance.

“We weren’t sure how things would go with the back-up plan, but I know we’re thankful to have had one that worked,” Lark said. “It didn’t take long to make the decision to move the festival but we were worried about how many people would come out. It took a little while, but once things started going here, attendance began to pick up as well.”

Even if Hurricane Joaquin had different ideas, the fourth annual Founders Day Music Festival still went off without a hitch.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_Pickens-Music-Festival-updated-2015-1.jpgEven if Hurricane Joaquin had different ideas, the fourth annual Founders Day Music Festival still went off without a hitch.

Fresh jams, jellies, and preserves were just some of the locally produced items for sale and on display at the fourth annual Founders Day Music Festival held Oct. 3 in Pickens.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_IMG_9429.jpgFresh jams, jellies, and preserves were just some of the locally produced items for sale and on display at the fourth annual Founders Day Music Festival held Oct. 3 in Pickens. D. C. Moody | The Easley Progress

The Sweet Potato Kids, part of the Young Appalachian Musicians program, performed at the Founders Day Music Festival held this past weekend.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_IMG_9413.jpgThe Sweet Potato Kids, part of the Young Appalachian Musicians program, performed at the Founders Day Music Festival held this past weekend. D. C. Moody | The Easley Progress

By D. C. Moody

dmoody@civitasmedia.com

Reach D. C. Moody at 864-855-0355.