Thursday, October 12, 2023–1:25 p.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
It’s almost time for one of the most popular annual events in Downtown Rome.
The 8th Annual Fiddlin’ Fest Between the Rivers is this Saturday from Noon to 6 p.m.
The street festival features live bluegrass music and much more, according to Rome Downtown Development Authority Director Aundi Lesley.
“We’ve got a great lineup this year and we anticipate that it is going to be an even bigger event than we have had in the past,” she said. “We have a total of around 130 vendors. We have an amazing music lineup.”
Regional and local bluegrass bands will perform at the stages that bookend the street-long festival with the South Stage in the 100 Block (Cotton Block) of Strong North Winds, Wade Forrester, Grizzly Goat, and Fast Track. The North stage lineup in the 400 Block will consist of Wilson Banjo Co, Reverend Hylton, Jessee and the Boys, and The Arcadian Wild.
The Cotton Block will also feature $5 pony rides, and there will be a number of activities for kids.
The Cars on Broad car show will be in the 300 block of Broad Street and will feature cars from every decade including pre-1950, street rod, original, rat rod, trucks, and more. The Armuchee Ruritan Club which is presenting the show will judge and offer “Best of” awards in several categories.
Over 110 arts and crafts vendors will be located in the 200 block of Broad Street selling hand-crafted items including paintings, home decor, tie-dye, jewelry, pottery, clothing, door hangers, wreaths, and woodworking.
This year the Sulzbacher Roman Holiday Riverboat will offer Fiddlin’ on the River cruises. The cruises will feature artists Grizzly Goat and Jessee and the Boys. Tickets can be purchased on Freshtix.com
Downtown shops will feature sidewalk sales and restaurants will offer food and drinks for sale.
Around 25,000 people attended last year’s Fiddlin’ Fest.
Since this is a street festival, Broad Street will close to traffic Saturday morning at 7 a.m. for set-up and will reopen by 8 p.m. The street closures will take place in the 100, 200, 300, and 400 blocks of Broad Street, while 2nd Avenue will remain open.
According to Floyd County Emergency Management:
Any vehicles that are on-street Saturday morning at 7 a.m. will be towed. Please plan accordingly and help ensure that all employees, friends, residents, and neighbors are aware. If your vehicle is towed, the Rome Police Department will have information about its location.
Public parking is conveniently located all around the festival.
