Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival

On Sunday, September 1st, the 21st Annual Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival will honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Joseph “Papa Joe” Smiddy. The event is presented by the Cove Ridge Center Foundation. It will be held in the amphitheater at Natural Tunnel State Park in Duffield, VA starting at 5 PM.

There will be no admission charge to this year’s festival thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. Attendees may give a donation to the Cove Ridge Foundation to support its Scholarship Fund.

This annual gathering seeks to promote the musical heritage of the area’s Appalachian Mountain culture and honors the tireless work of “Papa Joe,” who promoted the music of our region for many decades. In addition to being an accomplished old-time banjo player, entertainer, and educator, Smiddy was Chancellor Emeritus at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. This year’s performers will be Dr. Joe Smiddy & Reedy Creek, the Empty Bottle String Band, Twin Taters, an old time student band from the ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music program, and the DGB Band.   

An on-site concessions stand will be available to provide food and refreshments.  In addition, food vendors, Backdraft BBQ, Flour to Flower Pastries and Sweets, and the Blue Line Ice Cream Truck will be at the amphitheater that evening.

In 2024, festival admission is free of charge, there is a $5 per vehicle parking fee. Festivalgoers are welcome to donate to the Cove Ridge Foundation, but no payment will be expected. For additional information on the event, you may call the Cove Ridge Center at (276) 940-2674. 

Proceeds from the festival go into the Cove Ridge Foundation’s Papa Joe Smiddy Scholarship Fund. The Papa Joe Smiddy Mountain Music Festival is an affiliated site on the Crooked Road.

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