The Birthplace of Country Music to Stage Free Concert in Wise, VA
The RTE 23 Music Festival returns to the campus of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVa-Wise) on Saturday, August 27 at 4:00 p.m. The free festival brings a diverse mix of artists together for a full day of amazing live music that’s off the beaten path and family friendly.
The RTE 23 Music Festival has its origins back in February of 2009, when the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Concert Series hosted its first show at the college’s student center. The goal then—and now—was simple: bring the best Americana bands possible to music lovers in Southwest Virginia. Six years of concerts and festivals later, an array of outstanding musicians including St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Folk Soul Revival, The Black Lillies, Yarn, The Corduroy Road, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, The New Familiars, Dave Eggar, Amber Rubarth, The David Mayfield Parade, Jarekus Singleton and Last Train Home have performed at the event.
RTE 23 returns this summer with another impressive line-up including The Comet Conductors, Annabelle’s Curse, Elliot Root, and Love Canon. The festival will also include family activities and crafts and food vendors.
This year RTE 23 is excited to offer craft beer and wine exclusively from two Wise, Virginia companies at the festival. Attendees over 21 can sample brands from Sugar Hill Brewing Company and Mountain Rose Vineyards in the event’s beverage garden. Other vendors include Foodie Fiction, The Crepe Escape, Smoke-N-Pig Stillhouse, PureWood Firebrick Oven Pizza and Lincoln Road Cold Brew Coffee.
RTE 23 is made possible by a number of local businesses and individuals; their support is essential to keeping the event free for the community. Thank you to James Lawson, Cavalier Comics, Crutchfield, Jeremy O’Quinn Law Office, Cavalier Pharmacy, Dr. William C. Horne, DDS, Pro-Art, Pulitzer Orthodontics, UVa-Wise, Morgan McClure, Wise County Tourism, Daniels Heating & Plumbing, Charles Anderson, Bebo’s Music, and Wynn Canes for your generosity and support.
Click here for more about RTE 23 Music Festival artists.
