BIG STONE GAP - blue Highway Fest makes its fourth round in Southwest Virginia with five days of bluegrass, Appalachian and gospel music in downtown Big Stone Gap.
As in previous years, the festival – Wednesday – Sunday, Oct. 8-12 - centers its performances and events in the downtown area and Bullitt Park for concerts by nationally known and regional favorites.
Headliners for this year’s event include festival namesake blue Highway, Chayce Beckham, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, The Castellows, Dan Tyminski Band, Ed Snodderly, Tony Arata Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, Ralph Stanley II, Beth Snapp, Lonesome River Band, the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band and more.
The Third Street Stage – near the Big Stone Gap Visitors Center on Wood Avenue – will see the first two days of performances.
The festival’s Writers Round on opening day includes Larry Cordle, Tony Arata, Ron Short, Ed Snodderly, Tim Stafford, Wayne Taylor, Shawn Lane and Bobby Starnes as they play and discuss their experiences as songwriters and performers. Rhonda Vincent and the Rage close out opening night
The festival’s Rising Stars Challenge kicks off Oct. 9 with five hours of performances starting at 1 p.m., followed by Flatt Out Blue and the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band. The Rising Stars winner and Ralph Stanley II and the Clinch Mountain Boys round out the night.
Friday and Saturday’s performers will occupy the Bullitt Park Center Stage starting at noon both days and playing into the night. Sunday introduces the festival’s first Gospel Day starting at 2 p.m. and featuring blue Highway, Authentic Unlimited and The Isaacs.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite, with a link on the festival website.
Sponsors for the 2025 blue Highway Fest include Virginia is for Music Lovers, the town of Big Stone Gap. Friends of Southwest Virginia and the Slemp Foundation.
Online: