The Foothills are Alive with the Sound of Music

It’s a place where stories are swapped, friends are forever made and mountain music is the main attraction.

The historic town of Old Fort, NC offers a great deal in terms of museums, out door activities and annual celebrations. From its tall, hand-carved arrowhead next to the train depot, a familiar area landmark, to its waterfalls and annual celebrations, the town has always been a popular stop for travelers. But, there’s something else in this mountain town that’s been making some noise.

For the past 15 years Old Fort has offered locals, out-of-towners and visitors from all over the world a place to play and enjoy bluegrass and traditional mountain music. Met by kind smiles and warm, down home friendliness, visitors to Old Fort Mountain Music are in for a rare treat.

Every Friday night the newly renovated Rocket Building on downtown Main Street is opened to approximately 300 people looking for a good show, homemade treats and neighborly conversation. Ed Alkire, a permanent member of the house band, and Barbara Willis, a part of the event since the beginning, explained that in 824 evenings, Old Fort Mountain Music has never missed a Friday night. Not even for Christmas, New Year’s Eve or a snow blizzard has the weekly event shut down. And when the music hall was threatened with the possibility of closure due to fire safety, Jane Baxter, a 67-year old woman and event volunteer, and Dianne Hollifield, the Mountain Music President’s wife, hung and painted dry-wall till the building was restored.

Beginning in log cabins by the river, this event has grown to attract groups from Holland, England, Germany, Canada, France and even El Salvador. Groups just show up, put their name on a list and wait their turn. Starting at 7:00 p.m. and lasting till 11:00 p.m., or sometimes later, the show offers 30-minute sessions for each band.

As the first band begins the night, the audience starts singing and clapping along to the music. Then the first brave soles get on the dance floor to show off their moves. As other bands play, several of which include the town doctor and the Old Fort Mountain Music president, Robert Hollifield, the dance floor begins to fill with couples and singles clogging and tapping along to the beat.

A favorite of all the guests are the unique treats, supplied by the volunteers who run the event. An almost uncommon occurrence these days, visitors can buy sodas and coffee for only a quarter and a slice of pie or cake for fifty cents each. Before his first performance, Hollifield makes sure to remind his guests that the event, which is free of charge, draws its funds solely from donations and the concession stand.

Old Fort has managed to gain an international reputation without much promotion - popularity Willis attributes to their audience. “Our advertisements are our fans,” she explains. Old Fort seems to have secured its spot in the world as the place to be for warm smiles, good company and great mountain music.

For more information, please call Jane Baxter at 828-668-9891 or Carol Price at the McDowell County Tourism Development Authority at 828-652-1103 or visit www.oldfort.org/music.

by Beth Hardy