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One of the most sought after Country Music events in the Southeast, the Country in the Pines Music Festival is right around the corner and is slated to take place this month on Sept. 23-24 at Forest Capital State Park, in Perry.
As a special celebration of the local area's astounding resilience and the community involvement in creating a quick come-back from the aftermath of Hurricane Hermine, the Taylor County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and Georgia Pacific have partnered together to full sponsor the 11th annual Country in the Pines festival.
This year, the admission fee of $15 is being waived, meaning this event is free to all those who wish to attend this year's festival.
This event promises to bring with it one of the most exciting line-ups of country artists around, including the Michael Miller Band, the Band of Brothers, Brittany Lawrence and The Guys, Exit 78 Band, Southern Sass, and the Suwannee River Jam Auditions to be held here during the event.
Brittany Lawrence is a dynamic and energetic performer whose new band has been delighting audiences all over the country. A former contestant on The Voice, she will amaze the crowd with her strong vocals and southern rock sounds.
The Band of Brothers, one of our favorite local groups (Perry, Mayo…), will also be performing and will always leave you wanting more!
Another repeat to the stage, one of our headliners, the Michael Miller Band is an amazing group of country and southern rock performers. Michael Miller grew up in the heartland of Western Kentucky, but now lives in North Florida. If country music was a location, Michael Miller would call it home. The band was formed in 2013 and the Country in the Pines Music Festival is proud for them to be joining a powerful lineup again this year!
In addition to the artists listed above, Country in the Pines has teamed up with 1st Street Music & Sound Co. of Lake City to not only provide the stage production but will be conducting their Suwannee River Jam Auditions on Saturday as well, giving aspiring artists the opportunity to audition for and perform on the 1st Street Music Stage at the Suwannee River Jam held in April of 2017 at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park, Live Oak.
But, music is just one part of the Country in the Pines festival.
There will be seafood vendors; a variety of other food vendors; arts and crafts; a Mud Truck Show with cash prizes and more. A Kids Zone Play Area with bounce houses, face painting and more; all of which will be free for kids.
The event will kick off on Friday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m., with a main stage performance that has yet to be announced. At 6:45 p.m., Andy Simmons will take the main stage until 8:30 p.m., when the Michael Miller Band will take the spotlight.
On Saturday, Sept. 24, the Country in the Pines festival will return at 11 a.m. With the Suwannee River Jam Auditions and Awards, which will continue throughout the event until 4 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., another main stage performance will delight the audience before Brittany and the Guys will take the stage at 5:15 p.m. At 7 p.m., the Band of Brothers will arrive at the main stage and at 8:30 p.m., Exit 78 Band will wrap up the main stage performance. Throughout the event, festival-goers are invited to peruse the food, arts and craft venders, watch the Mud Truck Show, or enjoy the Kid's Fun Zone exhibits.
The Mud Truck Show is open to anyone who wishes to enter. Cash prizes and trophies will be presented to show winners.
Camping is available, but spaces are limited, so call early for reservations.
The event will be held at Forest Capital State Park, located on south Hwy. 19, in Perry.
For camping or other information, call the Chamber office at (850) 584-5366.
To stay up to date on news pertaining to the Country in the Pines music festival, visit the facebook page at www.facebook.com/countryinthepines.