Two local musician brothers are gearing up for an event now in its 23rd year.
The Nunn Brothers Bluegrass Festival is set to begin Thursday night for a four-day run at their music park.
It is located at 354 Woodville Road, off N.C. 89 between Mount Airy and Westfield, a rural setting that lends itself well to the music presented.
“We’re going to turn some green grass into bluegrass,” Alden Nunn said in anticipation of the festival he and brother Arnold spearhead.
“We’re just busy as a bee getting everything ready.”
Each evening will be filled with bluegrass favorites performed by beloved bands, organizers said.
In addition to The Nunn Brothers and Friends, the talent lineup includes Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, Coyote Ugly Bluegrass, The Slate Mountain Ramblers and more.
The festival kicks off Thursday at 7 p.m. with a free jam session hosted by The Nunn Brothers, with the band New River Line also to perform.
Friday’s entertainment, also starting at 7 p.m., will feature The Slate Mountain Ramblers, Mountain Blessings and The Nunn Brothers and Friends.
On Saturday, the music is slated from 5 to 9 p.m., with Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, Coyote Ugly Bluegrass, New River Line and The Nunn Brothers and Friends taking the stage.
Sunday’s activities will include an Albion Baptist Church service from 10 a.m. to noon with preacher Ricky Easter and free musical performances from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. by Carson Peters and Iron Mountain and The Nunn Brothers and Friends.
The Sunday slate also lists a message from preacher Brian Knight of Liberty Baptist Church.
Festival admission will cost $10 on Friday, $12 on Saturday or $20 for both days, with children under 10 to be let in free.
Committed to music
With it being billed as a family oriented event, one gets the impression that the Nunn Brothers Bluegrass Festival is a labor of love for its namesake siblings.
Alden and Arnold Nunn are twins, now 59 years old, who have been playing music for 52 years.
Arnold favors the guitar, while Alden is a fiddler, with the motto for their event “come for the music, stay for the fun.”
The Nunn Brothers Bluegrass Festival has built a loyal following over the years, although it was cancelled for three years in a row (2020-2022) after COVID struck.
Regrouping for its return in 2023 took some doing, Alden Nunn says.
“It was a big job to build everything back together, ‘cause bridges got washed away by the storms,” he explained.
“You have to do a lot of inspecting,” Alden said of making sure the festival infrastructure is ready for music fans.
As one might expect, attendance last year was off somewhat for the event trying to recapture its glory, although weather was a key culprit.
Friday attendance was good, with “a great crowd” turning out on Sunday, but a Saturday rainstorm caused problems that day.
“We were probably 70% off,” Alden said.
The upcoming festival will be held rain or shine, with those attending invited to bring lawn chairs, umbrellas and jackets.
Primitive camping is available at the music park.
Concessions are to be provided by Mayberry Drive-In during the festival.
While the brothers’ love of music and dedication to their festival are its core resources, Alden says thanks also are due to the event sponsors.
He further cited support from the Surry County Sheriff’s Office and the area Four-Way, Westfield, Ararat, Francisco and Double Creek fire departments for making it a success.
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