Here’s a roundup of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
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Marty Stuart, Sierra Hall added to Bristol Rhythm & Roots lineup
The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival has added Marty Stuart, Sierra Hull, Darrell Scott and more to its three-day lineup.
The festival, which runs Sept. 8-10, in January announced headliners including Nickel Creek, Margo Price, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers, and 49 Winchester.
The acts added this week include Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Sierra Hull, Darrell Scott’s Electrifying Band, Daniel Donato, Alison Brown, Jim Lauderdale, Adia Victoria, Oliver Wood Trio, Sons of the East, Illiterate Light, Handmade Moments, TK & The Holy Know Nothings and The Quebe Sisters.
The annual music event was established to honor the legacy of producer Ralph Peer’s 1927 Bristol Sessions, which led to the first recordings of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers.
To see the full lineup, or to buy weekend passes, visit BristolRhythm.com.
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Southwest Virginia Cultural Center honored for concert series
The Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace in Abingdon has received the Virginia Tourism Corporation 2022 Trailblazer Award for the facility’s LOVE SWVA Concert Series.
The Trailblazer Award was created by Virginia Tourism to recognize certified visitor centers for excellence and creative accomplishment in tourism marketing and promotion.
The Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace established itself as an event venue in 2022 for residents and visitors through three concerts in the LOVE SWVA Concert Series.
The concert series featured the Independence Day Celebration with Symphony of the Mountains, Bluegrass Pickin’ on Classic Rock with IronHorse and Carly and the Barbirds, and a final outdoor amphitheater concert in October with Scythian and Tuatha Dea.
The Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace will open for spring hours beginning April 1: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday 1-4 p.m.
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Forest Service to close Craig Creek bridge on Appalachian Trail
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest is closing the Craig Creek bridge on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail for public safety, the agency announced Thursday.
The footbridge, which is in the Brush Mountain Wilderness in Craig County, is closed to all use indefinitely. Hikers should not use the existing bridge and should follow directions from posted signs.
Appalachian Trail hikers can walk through Craig Creek within 100 yards of the bridge, using a temporary detour. During high water, hikers should wait for water levels to recede or use road detours.
For hikers heading north on the Appalachian Trail: At the Craig Creek Road/Virginia 621 road crossing, take a left and follow Craig Creek Road for approximately 3.3. miles to the intersection with Miller Cove Road/Virginia 620. Turn right and follow Miller Cove Road for approximately 1.2 miles to the Appalachian Trail crossing. Turn left off the road and follow the trail where it continues north across Trout Creek via a footbridge.
For hikers heading south: At the Miller Cove Road/Virginia 620 road crossing, take a right and follow Miller Cove Road for approximately 1.2 miles to the intersection with Craig Creek Road/Virginia 621. Turn left and follow Craig Creek Road for approximately 3.3 miles to the Appalachian Trail crossing (look for a small dirt lot on the right side of the road). Turn left off the road and follow the trail south toward Niday Shelter.
Plans to remove and replace this bridge are ongoing.
For more information, call the Eastern Divide Ranger District, 540-552-4641, or visit the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests online or on Twitter or Facebook.