Fourth annual Whippoorwill Festival kicks off Friday

The valley of Shortoff Mountain in Nebo will come alive with sounds of the Whippoorwill this weekend.
As the fourth annual Whippoorwill Festival breathes life once again into the former Whippoorwill Dairy Farm off N.C. 126, families are invited to hear country, bluegrass and gospel music for an end-of-summer celebration.
Organizers A.J. Hodges and Juleigh Ed are offering a deal on an entertainment weekend with proceeds going to South Mountain Children and Family Services.
Hodges said they spoke with South Mountain about bringing them in as the main benefactor.
"This is good recognition for them, and we always wanted to do that. Hopefully, we will make some money for them. All we ever wanted to do is something good for the community," Hodges said.
"This will help make the community more aware of our families and the fact that South Mountain is now a foster community, not the institutional-type facility that people often remember," said Lisa White, administrative assistant at South Mountain.
Admission on both Friday and Sunday are donations only and tickets are $10 on Saturday.
"We decided with the economy we wanted to have the price low so people could afford to come and have money left to buy food," Hodges said.
"We are making it affordable for big families and children 12 and under are free," Juleigh Ed said.
Many of the foster families will be able to attend and, according to White, they are excited about the festival.
"We are looking forward to it," she said. With the lower price, White said, "It is more affordable for the families and more convenient because it is right here."
Gates open Friday, which is fan appreciation night, at 5 p.m. with an opportunity to meet and greet some of the performers throughout the evening.
Saturday's events begin at noon and Sunday is gospel day with Reggie Killough from Marion preaching an 11 a.m. service and music starting at 1 p.m.
Juleigh Ed said several artists contacted them early on to be included in this year's festival.
"We know our regulars and they are great talent. The fact that they want to come be with us is a compliment to us," Hodges said. "We build around those with good local artists and get a headliner they recognize like John Berry.
"A lot of people really like John, and if they have heard about him they love him."
Berry is new to the Whippoorwill festival, but not to the area; he had a sell- out performance in 2007 at the CoMMA.
"A.J. and I are honored and humbled to have John Berry at our festival. He is one of the highlights this year," Juleigh Ed said.
"He knew this was a young festival and it was for a good cause for the community and the kids so he made it affordable and we greatly respect him," Hodges said.
Blake Wise, Juleigh Ed and local performers Purpose, Bill Reep and Jacob and Isaac Moore will be there, along with newcomers Kendyl Shaw and Phyllis Heil, the whistling woman from Hickory.
"This is such a great thing for our little town to have talent come here, and I hope people will support this festival," said Mary Haller, owner of the Depot in Glen Alpine and a sponsor of the Whippoorwill Musicfest.
"I think this is so wonderful that they want to bring something to the area," Haller added.
Festival staples will be sold by several food vendors offering hamburgers, turkey legs, polish sausage, ribs and barbecue. New vendors Robert Fisher will have a hot dog cart and McElrath Chapel will be selling fish, Juleigh Ed added.
The Whippersnapper play area features Bulls, T.J. and Red Rock, the petting zoo and the Christian Women's Motorcycle Association that will be donating their time face painting and providing entertainment for the children. Balloon lady Jackie Crump will be making balloons for the children.
"We want to do a lot for the children this year, especially since we are representing South Mountain's children," Juleigh Ed said. "We are putting on something good for the community and when people support the festival they are also supporting South Mountain Children and Family Services," she said.
White said, "The proceeds will help with the needs of the children and buying school supplies, clothes and the overall operational budget."
"We appreciate the help and support of our sponsors, volunteers and the community. We couldn't do it without them," Juleigh Ed said. "We need people to come because the audience is the stars of this show and if they don't come we can't perform.
"This has been a hard year for everybody, why not lift spirits by coming together for music and it will help people feel better."