Peanut Fest: 7 acts @ RAF

Location: R.A. Fountain

from the September 9, 2009 FAD

On Saturday, the free music at RAF begins at noon with New Grace Bluegrass Gospel. Shorty Mooring makes his long-awaited return to the stage at 1:00, Unshackled performs at 2:00, the Flat Mountain Dulcimers at 3:00, Walking by Faith at 4:00, the String Machine at 5:00, and the Smith Brothers Bluegrass Band will close out the day with two sets, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

     A peanut toss, at 3:00 p.m., will be staged behind RAF. “We’ve invited Guiness to come watch the world’s record being set,” said Albright. The $1.00 entry fee will benefit Fountain’s community library. Albright and local artists Carl Twarog and Joyce Newman established a library fund in 2001 with proceeds from their Fountain documentary. “We’re still hoping to get it open and going again, but it still needs some work,” added Albright.

     For the festival, both US 258 and NC 222 will be closed off.

     Jones Fruit Farm, in Greene County, has made a limited batch of homemade chocolate peanut butter crunch ice cream exclusively for RAF and the Peanut Festival. “Their homemade ice cream is by far our best seller,” said Albright. Other flavors currently available include peach, strawberry, blueberry, cantaloupe, chocolate, vanilla, and banana. The fruit flavors are made from produce grown on the Jones family farm.

     Quarts of Henry Bailey’s Brunswick stew are $6.50; bowls will be available at RAF during the festival for $3.50. Quarts of stew may be reserved by e.mailing “alex@rafountain” with “stew” as the subject. Proceeds from the stew sale will go to Fountain Presbyterian Church.

Tags: acoustic Carolina, bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, classic, country, folk, gospel, old-time, original, tradtional bluegrass