NELSONVILLE — If there’s one thing Nelsonville, Ohio, is known for, it would be for hosting multiple music festivals. From the popular Nelsonville Music Festival to the Happy Hollow Hootenanny, there are plenty of chances to catch some good music this summer.
However, this year two festivals will be combined into one double fest. One will occur on Friday, and the other will occur the Saturday, both at Hocking College.
Black Diamond Music Festival, hosted by Black Diamond Productions and Hocking College students, is a celebration of the country and bluegrass roots of southeastern Ohio. In the past, big names such as Elle King and Ashley McBryde have performed at the event.
The 2024 lineup includes McGuffey Lane, Murphy, Late Nite Drivers and Shane Runion.
This festival is set for Friday. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and music will begin at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Starbrick Music Festival will occur at the same location, with a lineup of both 70-80’s rock tributes as well as country acts. The festival will host artists such as That Arena Rock Show, Blue Steel and Kaylsta Minton, Todd Berry, and country rock singer Julia Nevelle.
The doors will open at 2 p.m. The first band will perform at 3:30pm.
Tickets are available for both events online at Eventbrite.com, with a one-day pass at $15, and a two-day pass for $25
The history behind The Black Diamond Festival has much to do with the location.
Nelsonville Music Festival used to be held at Hocking College, before Stuart’s Opera House, organizers of the event, had to relocate to the Snow Fork Event Center when The Black Diamond Festival emerged.
Although this festival was founded fairly close to others within the Nelsonville area, the festivals vary in music genre.
This will be the third year of Black Diamond, which focuses on country bluegrass.
Starbrick is a music event with food and vendors, but the event serves as a fundraiser for the Chris Roell TBI Foundation.
Chris Roell was a dedicated football player who experienced a traumatic brain injury that altered his life drastically.
Even after a successful recovery, he passed unexpectedly a few years later in 2018 after battling struggles with his mental health as a result of his TBI.
Since then, his family has helped raise thousands of dollars towards TBI and mental health support.
Bernie Roell, father of Chris and one of the festival founders, hopes to make a difference and spread awareness.
“We’re hoping people come for the music, but also to support mental health,” said Roell. “Mental health is a silent killer, with suicide being a leading cause of death. Our goal is to bring awareness, and show that there is support.”
More information about the fund and how to donate can be found at https://thetbifoundation.com/ .
Although the two festivals have varying differences between their origins and history, the two ultimately decided to be on the same weekend at the same venue.
Black Diamond approached Starbrick with the idea, as both were to be executed early in the summer, while Nelsonville Music Festival is later on in July.
By joining forces, ticket prices for the events are significantly cheaper than previous years.
Along with this change, there are also VIP passes available for purchase. These VIP tickets can also be purchased online, with day passes at $35 and two-day passes for $59.
There will also be plenty of family activities, food such as Starbrick BBQ and Texas Roadhouse, and craft vendors.
“This festival will be different because we focus on 70s and 80s rock, but also country,” said Roell, when talking about the aspects of Starbrick. “No one else is doing a festival like this around the area. The tribute bands will look as close as they can, and will dress like, look like, and have the same mannerisms. The country music part will be like a stadium concert and like a country fest.”
Both festivals plan to bring something different to this year’s Doublefest, while still maintaining the special aspects of both. There will be much for attendees to enjoy at the combined festivals.
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