Town has an evening of music and barbecue

By Jessica Goodman

Times-News Staff Writer

FLETCHER — With the aroma of barbecue wafting through the crowds and tunes filtering to everyone’s ears, people were tapping to the beat at the second Pickin’ in the Park Bluegrass Festival on Saturday at the Fletcher Community Park.

The free show attracted a crowd of young and not-so-young and encouraged everyone to eat a little, dance a little and celebrate mountain heritage.

“That’s what you get up here,” said Barbara Witt of Hendersonville. “We listen to all kinds of music.”

“It’s been great,” said Marg Nester of Asheville. “The atmosphere, being outside while you can.”

Four bands were scheduled to play at the festival. Bo’s Bluegrass Band led off the afternoon, with Appalachian Fire featuring Ranee Stepp, Bostic Yard and Bruce Moody and Elk River helping to entertain the crowds at the event. Dene Hellman with the Fletcher Arts and Heritage Association, the organization that brought bluegrass to the park, said the festival has grown from last year and hopes the festival will become a continuing tradition in Fletcher.

“Bluegrass is where the arts and heritage come together,” said Hellman.

“I think it’s great and it’s great for this community to have (the festival),” said Ranee Stepp. “We should have more of them.”

Appalachian Fire featuring Ranee Stepp was debuting on the stage with the festival. The band was performing two original songs, Just How I Lost You and Kentucky Woman.

“They’re the highlights because they are ours,” said Stepp.

As the day started to settle into evening, and the sun started to set, helping to cool the air, people continued to pile into the Fletcher Community Park to enjoy the bluegrass experience.

“It’s a good thing for our community,” said Bill Moore, mayor of Fletcher. “Our park is always accessible for people.”

“I’m going to think by the end of the evening we’ll be pushing about 400,” said David Bryson, a program director with Fletcher Park and Recreation.

The Fletcher Arts and Heritage Association with Blue Ridge Community College and the State Farm Agency helped make the day possible.

“It’s truly wonderful to see so many young families,” said Hellman. “(There’s) such a good representation of all families... (It’s) family-oriented and by family we have all the generations.”

“(The Fletcher Arts and Heritage Association) would like to see something that has Appalachian music and where better to have it than in this park,” said Bryon. “We plan to keep it going.”