Emmy Wells
Sevierville’s 7th Annual Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival, held May 20 and 21 in downtown Sevierville, gave approximately 37,000 local and out-of-town guests an opportunity to enjoy great food and world-class bluegrass music.
Forty-nine cook teams attended the Bush’s Best Tennessee State Championship Barbeque Cook-Off held during the event, with hometown cook team Smoky Mountain Smokers (Sevierville, TN), claiming Grand Champion while Wood-N-Pig Smokers (Knoxville, TN) earned the Reserve Grand Champion award. The Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union Kids’ Burger Cook Off winners in the 11-16 age division were 1st place Hickory Cabin Grillin’ Boys (Sevierville, TN), and the 6-10 age division were 1st Place Seymour Smokers (Seymour, TN) and 2nd Place Hillbilly Pride (Powell, TN).
Kelle Jolly
The Mountain Soul Vocal competitors belted out a variety of Dolly songs in unique styles for a chance to win five-hundred dollars, a Nashville recording session and a guitar autographed by Dolly. Kelle Jolly from Knoxville, TN earned the top spot and grand prize in the 13+ age division. While first place in the 12 and under category went to Emmy Wells of Spring Hill, TN who sang “Heartbreak Express”.
“Great weather, a new even layout and several new elements gave Bloomin’ BBQ an even more festive vibe this year,” says Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Amanda Maples Marr. “We plan to continue growing the event and attracting more and more out-of-town visitors who can enjoy everything there is to do in the area.”
Make plans now for Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass May 18-19, 2012.
