| ELLIOTT FAMILY FARMS... Clear Mountain View Music Festival August 23rd-25th |
|
As the anticipation builds for the Inaugural Clear Mountain View Music Festival, we are going to devote each of the coming week’s articles in the Shelby Shopper to spotlighting the many different artists, events, and farming heritage that will be on display later this month at Elliott Farms. This week we would like to focus on the farm itself, after all, the land and it’s cultivators are what made this event possible.
The Elliott Family has carried on the art of making sorghum molasses for over 40 years. The family tradition dates back generations, but Bob Elliott recalls purchasing the equipment to make the molasses themselves shortly after he and wife Hilda were wed. Although the current “Elliott Family Farm” farm property is still relatively new to the family, the Elliott Family has worked to breathe new life into old practices by showcasing antique farming equipment and techniques in their annual Heritage Days that takes place in October.
In late 2011, David Elliott was inspired to add permanent entertainment stages to the property with hopes that the farm could provide a place where local bands could be showcased alongside national touring acts. After countless hours of labor, the homemade cedar cabin appropriately labeled the “Saw-Mill Stage” is a site to see in itself; as is the indoor Elliott Family Farm’s Dance Hall. The stages have a down home feel, and provide a very viable new alternative to those who prefer reasonably priced shows at local venues.
With the help of local musician Kevin Dedmon, the Elliotts took on the idea of holding an annual music festival in addition to the family’s Heritage Days. The music festival is one that will center around many of the themes that the family has built their farm around; including a sorghum cane maze. The festival will be highlighted by performances by Corey Smith, Chris Knight, and Acoustic Syndicate, among others. Their hope is that the festival will become an annual tradition and agri-tourism event for Cleveland County, and judging by the lineup and response received for this year’s Inaugural festival, they are well on their way.
Tickets can be purchased from www.elliottfamilyfarm.com. Follow The Elliott Family Farm Event’s Facebook page for announcements about upcoming events, as well as opportunities to win tickets to the upcoming shows.
We would also like to apologize that Harvest was not listed in last week’s article. They will be performing Sat. Aug, 25 at the festival.
- R.K. Dedmon
|
|
Printer-friendly format
|
|
