Blue Ridge Fest is May 10

The 16^th Annual Blue Ridge Fest promises to be another great evening that raises money for great causes in the area.

This year's Blue Ridge Fest is slated for Friday, May 10, at Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative's Pickens equipment facility.

The annual festival raises money for area agencies that serve the cooperative's four-county service region. Those that will benefit from this year's Blue Ridge Fest are Anderson Free Clinic, Arc of the Tribble Center, Dot’s Kitchen, Feed a Hungry Child, Foothills Alliance, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Hidden Treasure Christian School, Mary’s House, Rosa Clark Medical Clinic, Sabrina House Children’s Charity, Samaritan Health Clinic, SHARE, and United Christian Ministries, according to Liza Holder, spokesperson for Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative.

“This is the reason we do Blue Ridge Fest, to support Upstate charities,” she said.

Choosing each year's charities is a “tough, tough decision” for the employee committee that makes the decision.

In its first 15 years of existence, Blue Ridge Fest has produced $1.4 million that was distributed to

local charities, she said.

Last year’s event raised a record $171,000 in net proceeds.

Each year's Blue Ridge Fest brings classic tunes and cool rides to Pickens.

“We are really excited about it,” Holder said. “We are bringing four fabulous bands to the stage this year.”

The headline act will be The Drifters with Charlie Thomas, known for such hits as There Goes My

Baby, Save the Last Dance for Me, and Up on the Roof.

“Lots of familiar songs there,” Holder said. “We're excited to have The Drifters on our stage.”

Preceding them onstage will be The Clovers. This ensemble has produced an impressive string of

15 number-one songs, including Love Potion Number 9, One-Mint Julep, and Devil or Angel and Blue Velvet.

“They began in their high school years and in 1950 began an unbelievable string of #1 hits – 15 to be exact,” Holder said. “I think they'll put on a great performance.”

Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs are also part of the entertainment lineup. They are known for

their massive national hit, Stay.

“My generation, I can relate to 'Stay' from Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze dancing in 'Dirty Dancing' to 'Stay',” Holder said.

Another of their song stylings, May I, was a big regional record for the group in the 1960’s. Williams is perhaps best remembered for penning Little Darlin’, which was a monster hit for The Diamonds back in the seminal days of rock-n-roll.

Leading off the evening will be the Party Prophets Band.

“They have opened for some huge acts, including The Temptations, The Commodores and Chairmen of the Board,” Holder said. “They bring beach music, blues music, rhythm, soul, Motown, anything you want to hear. They'll be a great band and a lot of dancing will be going on on the dance floor while they're performing – as will with all of these bands.”

Blue Ridge Fest features the largest cruise-in in the Upstate.

“We'll have about 500 classic cars on display,” Holder said. “It's phenomenal, when we have great weather, to see just how many cars come out. We pack them in. It's just a fun time.”

Each year's event features a number of prize drawing

“The number one gift we're giving away is a 2013 Ranger XP Browning edition,” Holder said. “It comes with the gun rack and all the fun stuff. That's our first prize. The second prize we're giving away is $5,000 cash and the last prize is a $1,000 mountain vacation package in the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area. So, for only $5 a ticket, you can have a chance to win all three of those prizes.”

Blue Ridge Fest tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children, with discount admissions available prior to May 10. These can be purchased online or at any Blue Ridge Electric or Blue Ridge Security office. For more information, call 1-800-240-3400 or visit online at blueridgefest.com.