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Race Week Events in Bristol and Region




While many visitors will be in the Bristol area for the Food City 150 USAR Hooter’s ProCup Series and O'Reilly 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races on August 23, Food City 250 NASCAR Busch Series race on August 25, and Sharpie 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series night race on August 26 at Bristol Motor Speedway, We encourage residents and visitors alike to attend some of these events which showcase of country, bluegrass, old-time and other elements of our region's musical heritage.


Appalachian Fair


The Appalchain Fair in Gray, TN features a wide variety of country music.

The Appalachian Fair in Gray, TN will feature the following artists:

  • Charlie Daniels Band - (“The Devil Went Down To Georgia”, “The South Is Gonna Do It Again”)
    Monday, August 21
  • Jamie O'Neal - (“I Love My Life”, "There Is No Arizona")
    Tuesday, August 22
  • Phil Vassar - (“Last Day of my Life”, “Just Another Day in Paradise”, "American Child")
    Wednesday, August 23
  • Miranda Lambert - (“Kerosene”, “New Strings”, “Me And Charlie Talking”)
    Thursday, August 24
  • Trent Tomlinson - (“Drunker Than Me”, “One Wing in the Fire”)
    Friday, August 25
  • Keith Anderson - (“Pickin Wildflowers”, "Every Time I Hear Your Name”)
    Saturday, August 26

    For more information, visit their website at www.appalachianfair.com


    • Food City Family Race Night


    Rhonda Vincent will perform at Food City Family Race Night on August 24

    On Thursday, August 24, Food City Family Race Night will feature show cars, simulators, a chance to meet with drivers and get their autographs and many more events, right in the middle of downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia on State Street.

    Among the Entertainment at the Coke Stage will be:

  • Jake Cox and the Rising Outlaw (1-1:45pm)
  • Pine Mountain Railroad (2:15-3pm)
  • Brooke Morton (3:15-4pm)
  • Rhonda Vincent and the Rage (4:15-5pm)

    Tickets are $5.00 Day of Event and proceeds Benefit Bristol's Sesquicentennial Celebration and the East Tennessee College of Pharmacy

    Food City Family Race Night Shuttle Buses will run from 11:00am- 10:00pm, with pick-up and drop off locations at:

  • Bruton Smith Building/Front Entrance
  • BMS Tower 9/Speedway Blvd.
  • Hwy. 11E & Whitetop Rd
  • Hwy. 394 & Whitetop Rd
  • Hwy. 394 & Copperhead Rd
  • Bristol Mall - Exit 1 off of Interstate 81

    For more information, visit their website at www.foodcity.com/racenight_bristol.html


    • Earhart Campground

    The Earhart Campground (adjacent to the Bristol Motor Speedway) will present FREE CONCERTS featuring Travis Tritt, Dierks Bentley, and The Wayne Mills Band sponsored by Cingular during the Sharpie 500 race week in August.

  • Thursday, August 24 - Wayne Mills Band - 6PM - 11 PM
  • Friday, August 25 - Dierks Bentley & Wayne Mills Band - 2:30 PM - 7 PM
  • Saturday, August 26 - Travis Tritt & Wayne Mills Band - 2:30 PM - 7:00 PM

    For more information, including directions, visit the Earhart Campground website at www.earhartcampground.com


    • Barter Theatre

    Barter Theatre will present the Southern premiere of the feel-good musical “Almost Heaven”. This musical tribute to the life and music of John Denver boasts 28 of this singer-songwriter’s greatest hits combined with interviews, fan letters and passages from his autobiography. Guaranteed to leave you with a “Rocky Mountain High." More Information ...


    Weekly Venues and Other Attractions


    Musicians perform weekly at the Country Music Mural in Downtown Bristol

    Enjoying a performance by some of the talented musicians in our area by attending a concert or event in our region at these regular venues:

  • Country Music Mural/Downtown Center on State Street.
    Full Moon Jam on Monday, August 21 features Country Music, Also, Monday August 21 will feature a local author's book signing with David McGee, Joe Tennis, Bud Phillips, and George Stone)
    Tuesday, August 22 will feature Bluegrass music.
    For more information call Bristol Tennessee Department of Public Venues @ 423.764.4171
  • Pickin Porch in Bristol, VA featuring on Charlie Holliday and Free Grass on Thrusday, August 25
  • Music on the Square in Jonesborough, TN featuring Meridian and Steel String Theory on Friday, August 25
  • Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, VA featuring The Boohers on Saturday, August 26

    You can find a listing of many of these events in our region by viewing our interactive online event calendar.

    Visit our Concerts & Events section, to find a listing of pickin' sites, concerts and events, and radio stations in this area which play bluegrass, folk, old-time, country, and traditional Appalachian music.

    We invite you to learn more about our musical heritage while you are in our area by:

  • Visiting other musical venues and attractions along The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail
  • Experience the history, culture, and natural beauty of Northeast Tennessee through its Tales and Trails
  • Taking a stroll through downtown Bristol on our walking tour of sites related to our country music heritage.

    For more information about attractions in our region, visit our tourism and travel information section.

    Be sure to return to Bristol the third weekend of September (September 15, 16, & 17, 2006) for the 6th Annual Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival. More Information ...


    • Listen To Our Region's Musical and Cultural Heritage


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