Big Ridge Park hosted its 43rd annual Bluegrass Festival on Friday, August 16, drawing music lovers from near and far. Despite a rainy start around 4:00 PM, the weather cleared just in time for the festivities, which ran from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

The evening featured performances from a lineup of talented bands, including Norris Freeway, Tennessee Brushfire, Scrap Iron, The Beason Family, The Teno Family, and John Alvis, who kept the audience entertained with lively bluegrass tunes.

The image shows a proposed plan and what will happen to the natural woodland area across from the current Big Ridge campground and Blue Mud boat launch if the project is completed.
The Union County Commission approved the grant to complete the study to implement this plan at last month’s meeting. The grant is for $104,000 with a match of $24,000. No source for the match was noted in the Mayor’s Report. The approval was done as part of the Budget Amendments and Transfers under Fund 171-Capital Projects.

Big Ridge State Park needs your opinion on its new Strategic Master Plan. So what is a Strategic master Plan and why should you voice your opinion? The main reason is the plan will drive the changes that occur in the park for the next 10 years and some changes will effect the park for many more years after that. Submit your comments online at https://www.tn.gov/environment/parks-conservation/ppp/form.html.

Bluegrass, gospel, country and traditional Appalachian music resounded throughout the ridges of Big Ridge State Park as quartets, quintets and duos took the stage at the 42nd Annual Bluegrass Festival in August.

Bobby Glenn, Race Director at Knoxville Track Club (KTC), describes the third race of 2021’s “dirty dozen” as, “In the wooded hollows of Big Ridge State Park east of Norris near Maynardville, the 11-mile course delves into long forgotten, mud-slogged crevasses thought to be haunted by haints, demons, banshees, phantoms, and poltergeists” No doubt in reference to Big Ridge’s ghost hikes in October!

County Commissioner Debra Keck enlightens us regarding the Joint Economic Community Development Board (JECDB) and their current and upcoming plans and projects. I have known Debra Keck for years as Mayor Mike Williams’ assistant, and we interacted often, especially when working together on functions of the Chamber of Commerce and as members of the JECDB. Recently, Keck and I discussed the progress being made in Union County.

Big Ridge is a naturally beautiful place. It is the perfect example of the ridge and valley area of East Tennessee.
Big Ridge has quite the historical relevance as well as being a beautiful place. For thousands of years a native people called these rolling hills along these riverbanks home.

As the spooky October season sneaks around the corner, Big Ridge State Park has some ghostly adventures planned for the community and visitors. As you may know, there are some mysterious stories from past generations that spook the park this time of year. These stories are shared amongst hikers at the Annual Ghost House Hikes which have been happening for more than a decade.

Fourth District Commissioner Danny Cooke received unanimous support at the November Union County Commission meeting for his resolution to initiate an economic impact study looking at improvements to Big Ridge State Park.

The Recreation Hall at Big Ridge State Parked was packed on the 18th of October as concerned members of the community provided input to the Park’s Business and Management Plan. This plan is updated every five years and it provides the framework for future improvements to the park. Recognizing that place based economic investment is fundamental to the county's economic future, individuals attending Thursday evening’s meeting stressed that one of the most important investments in Union County to bring jobs and prosperity is Big Ridge State Park.