Music and fun resonate in the meadow just minutes away from downtown Knoxville at the WDVX Ijams Meadow Lark Music Festival Saturday, June 25, noon to 11 p.m. Dale Watson and His Lone Stars and Southern Culture on the Skids are the headliners. Watson will fire up the crowd with his self-proclaimed “Ameripolitan” honkey tonk, western swing, and rockabilly tunes. And Southern Culture will add their country fried mix of surf, rockabilly, and R&B.
Listener-supported WDVX Radio and Ijams Nature Center host the festival, which benefits both organizations. The musical lineup also includes local favorites The Barstool Romeos, Four Leaf Peat, Red Shoes & Rosin, Grassroots Gringos, The Pinklets, and Pat Beasley Band. Gates open at noon.
The festival is supported by individuals and companies, including New Belgium Brewing, which is known for its philosophy of environmental stewardship. Other sponsors include Elizabeth Eason Architecture, Grayson Subaru, Harrison Construction, The Knoxville Mercury, the City of Knoxville, Computer Systems Plus Inc., the Round Up Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor, TERI Productions, Visit Knoxville, and WBIR-TV.
A free shuttle will pick up festival goers at Visit Knoxville, the home of WDVX studios, at 301 South Gay Street in downtown Knoxville. Parking at Ijams is $5 per car. Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chair, and leave dogs and coolers at home. Food trucks and beverages will be available.
Advance tickets are $20 until May 31, $25 through June 24, and are available at WDVX radio, Ijams Nature Center, and at www.brownpapertickets.com. VIP Packages, which include four tickets, premium parking and other perks, are $200. Children 10 and under are admitted free.
Located three miles from downtown Knoxville, Ijams Nature Center is a 300-acre wildlife sanctuary and environmental learning center providing outdoor connections and experiences through education, conservation, and recreation. Visit www.ijams.org.
WDVX is an independent, community-supported radio station playing an eclectic mix of music celebrating the arts and culture of the Southern Appalachian region. The station is broadcast in Knoxville and surrounding areas at 89.9, 102.9., or 93.9, and webcast at www.wdvx.com.