Covered Bridge Days to expand attractions, vendors and feature ‘world-class’ entertainment – www.elizabethton.com

Covered Bridge Days plans are coming together in Elizabethton for a festival that will keep old favorites while expanding and growing with new attractions and more vendors and crafters than ever.

Set for September 20-22 this year, the popular festival, hosted by the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department, will feature world-class entertainment, a block party, Kids Island activities and of course, fireworks.

Headliners for the evening concerts will include acclaimed bluegrass musician, Elizabethton native Daniel Grindstaff, who is currently nominated for two International Bluegrass Music Association awards. He will take the stage on Friday at 7:30 p.m., preceded by Stemwinder, at 3:30 p.m. and Hi-Test Bluegrass at 5:30 p.m.

On Saturday the entertainment will start at 1 p.m. with Powershift; followed by the Bullseye Band at 3:15 p.m. and Carson Peters & Iron Mountain at 5:30 p.m.

The headlining performer for Saturday will be Country Music and International Bluegrass Music Hall of Famer and Grammy Award and CMA Award winner Ricky Skaggs with Kentucky Thunder. They will take the stage at 8 p.m., followed by a fireworks show at 9:45.

On Sunday afternoon, the entertainment continues with Joyful Hearts at 1 p.m.; Don and Ella Derby at 2:30 p.m. and Grammy and multiple Dove Award winner Jason Crabb at 4:30 p.m.

In addition to days filled with musical entertainment, the festival will also expand this year to accommodate even more vendors, says Kelly Kitchens, Program & Special Events Coordinator.

“We’re going to move up into the 600 block of East Elk Avenue this year,” she said. “We operated off a waiting list last year and will do the same this year. The number of vendors doubled last year and will double again this year.”

That move will also open up more space for Kids Island, Kitchens said.

“We will have more paid attractions for families this year, brought to Elizabethton by a new entertainment group from Chattanooga. Some of the new activities will include simulated sword fighting, a mechanical bull, a climbing wall and axe throwing.”

But even though there will be additional paid attractions, Kitchens stressed there will also be lots of fun things to do at no cost.

“Kids Island will remain free,” she said. “There will be lots of inflatables, costumed characters, a foam party and free magic shows. Everyone can still come and enjoy the event even if they’re on a tight budget. We can’t make life fun if it costs a bunch.”

Derrick Vines, Parks and Rec administrative assistant, said he is excited about the number of vendors drawn to the growing festival.

“We will double in numbers again from last year,” he said. “Back in 2021, when Parks & Rec became responsible for the festival, we had about 18 vendors; this year it looks like between 120-130.”

He explained that the additional spaces for vendors on the 600 block will be set up back to back down the center of the street to encourage pedestrian traffic.

“It’s important to us to have that flow so festival goers will have full access to our merchants as well as the vendors,” he added. “This festival should be good for everyone.”

The festival will open on Friday at 11 a.m. with entertainment and a special “Touch A Truck” event on the Elk Avenue Bridge. That will continue until 4 p.m.

On Saturday, more entertainment is scheduled with several dance troupes, the Miss and Mr. Covered Bridge Days pageant. Kids Island will be open from 10 a.m. until about 7:30 p.m. The festival will conclude with a bang, with a 9:45 p.m. fireworks show.

Also returning to the festival for its 5th year is the Youth Business Fair. The Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting vendors and spaces are limited. The event promotes youth entrepreneurship for ages 7-18. Interested young people can register through the end of August by emailing kkitchens@cityofelizabethton.org.

The Main Street Block Party, sponsored by Elizabethton Federal Savings Bank in conjunction with Covered Bridge Days, will be hosted by Main Street Elizabethton on Saturday evening from 4-8 p.m. The party, complete with a beer garden, will move deeper into downtown, setting up on the 500 block of East Elk Avenue to make way for the expanded vendor space in the 600 block. Main Street Elizabethton Director Courtney Bean says plans are being finalized and will be announced soon.

To keep up with the latest information for Covered Bridge Days 2024, please go to coveredbridgedays.org and follow Covered Bridge Days on Facebook.

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