BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — From Elvis on Friday afternoon to Jake Hoot on Saturday night, the 30th annual Martin County Harvest Festival now has a full weekend on the books.
Organizers have released the Sept. 18-19 schedule, packing two days in Inez with live music, carnival rides, hayrides, a parade, wrestling, the Harvest Fest Bowl, children’s activities and the Health Care Pavilion.
This year’s theme is “Rooted in tradition. Growing together.”
Friday starts at 11 a.m. when vendors and rides open and the Harvest Fest Speech Contest, sponsored by MCHS JAGKY, gets underway. The contest runs until 12:30 p.m.
The Health Care Pavilion opens at noon in the Martin County Business Center parking lot and continues until 5 p.m. The 4-H Pet Show follows at 1:30 p.m.
Then the stage comes alive.
Kyle Cornette kicks off the entertainment at 3 p.m. with “A Tribute to the King,” bringing his Elvis tribute back to Harvest Fest.
Braxton Ramey follows at 3:30 p.m., Jack Ward and the Postmen at 4 p.m., Martin County Pick and Bow at 5 p.m., Addi and Quinn and the 606 Revival at 6 p.m., and Devin Moore and the Rosary Sons at 7 p.m.
Hayrides begin at 6 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m., the action shifts to The Rock for the Harvest Fest Bowl, featuring Martin County against Knox Central Shelby Valley.
Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys close Friday’s musical lineup with bluegrass at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday starts at 10 a.m. with the Health Care Pavilion at the Martin County Business Center parking lot. It continues until 2 p.m., while vendors and rides open at 11 a.m.
One of Harvest Fest’s oldest traditions takes center stage in the afternoon. The Harvest Festival Parade steps off at 2 p.m., with lineup beginning at 1 p.m. at the Martin County Pool.
Jackie’s Gymnastics performs at 3 p.m., followed by Jordon VanHoose at 3:45 p.m., Gigi — The Rock N Roll Princess and ADHD at 4:30 p.m., and Wesley Young and Friends at 5:30 p.m.
At 6 p.m., wrestling returns to the front parking lot of the Martin County Business Center. Hayrides also begin at 6 p.m.
The Lafferty Brothers Band takes the stage at 6:30 p.m., setting up the finale.
Country singer and two-time “Voice” winner Jake Hoot takes the Court Street stage at 8 p.m. for the free Saturday night headliner concert announced earlier this summer.
The Kiwanis Club-sponsored festival has grown into Martin County’s largest festival, drawing thousands to Inez for rides, food, music, the parade and family activities.
And for its 30th year, organizers are not merely looking back. They have built a schedule that keeps something happening from late Friday morning until the final song Saturday night.
