On May 11, the past will come to life as rock-and-roll stars Bobby Rydell and Jimmy Clanton take the stage at the 15th-annual Blue Ridge Fest. Jim Quick & Coastline will round out the entertainment that night. A fest favorite, this high-energy group always brings the crowd to its feet with their own brand of music.
Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President and CEO Charles Dalton is excited about this year’s line-up, “We have some of the best musicians from the early 60’s performing for Blue Ridge Fest. With hits like Rydell’s ‘Wild One’ and Clanton’s ‘Just a Dream’, we’re bringing some great music to the event.”
Along with great music, the largest cruise-in in the Upstate will begin earlier in the day and will welcome more than 600 cars to the grounds of the cooperative’s Pickens office, located at 734 West Main Street. Shined and polished, these classic autos will be on display throughout the evening.
Blue Ridge Fest’s popularity has enabled the event to raise about $150,000 annually for local charities that help individuals and families throughout the Upstate. Selected by an employee committee, this year’s recipients are Anderson Interfaith Ministries, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Helping Hands of Clemson, Meals on Wheels-Anderson, Meals on Wheels-Pickens, Mountain Lakes Access Health, Oconee A.I.D. Association, Oconee Presbyterian Service Fund, Sabrina House Children’s Charity, Safe Harbor, Samaritan Health Clinic of Pickens County, Sunbelt Human Advancement Resources, and United Christian Ministries. During its 14-year history, Blue Ridge Fest has distributed more than $1.2 million across the four-county area.
Employees are the driving force behind Blue Ridge Fest. From selling tickets and parking cars to cooking the best hamburgers around, Blue Ridge Electric and Blue Ridge Security employees will do all the work; but support by more than 100 sponsors and thousands of attendees insures the festival’s success. Tickets can be purchased in advance at any Blue Ridge office or online at www.blueridgefest.com. Join us in Pickens on May 11 for Blue Ridge Fest—Great Times for Great Causes.
