Recovery Road Bluegrass Festival revs up for second year

ALBEMARLE — Recovery Road Bluegrass Festival returns Sept. 23-25 at the Lodge on Hatley Farm Road in Stanly County. 

All proceeds will benefit Will’s Place Recovery Resource Center in Albemarle. Will’s Place mission is to reduce barriers for those seeking treatment for substance use disorder, offer programming that sustains sobriety, and combat stigma with education around addiction and recovery.

Caitlin McAlhany, Director of Faith-Based Programming at Will’s Place, shared a little about the organization and the return of the music festival. “Will’s Place is a small, but mighty nonprofit located in Stanly County. We try to help anyone impacted by addiction and try to reach all populations affected by addiction.” 

The festival was strategically planned since September is Recovery Awareness Month. A completely sober event, no coolers or pets are allowed. It is family friendly with something for everyone. There will activities for kids including inflatables. Vendors will be set up for shopping and lots of food trucks will be on site Friday and Saturday (BBQ, tacos, chicken, fish, soul food, sandwiches and shaved ice), including the What-A-Burger truck on Saturday (4-9 p.m.).

Friday night, Dennis W. Parker of Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder will be the headliner. A donation night (not ticketed), it is a “night of recovery.” Parker will perform as well as tell his own story of addiction and recovery. Show begins at 7 p.m., gates open at 5. 

Saturday, gates open at 10 a.m. with a youth picking hour at 11 a.m. featuring Carley Hatley, Gabe Webster and Chelsea Clare. The Scott Family from Norwood takes the stage at 1:10 p.m., followed by the bluegrass band Drive Time featuring Troy fiddler, Katie Springer Koerner, at 2:30 p.m. Deeper Shade of Blue from Monroe will perform at 4:20 p.m. 

The music concludes with a performance by the classic country group the Malpass Brothers, beginning at 7 p.m. In between sets, there will be recovery testimonies and speakers from Will’s Place. 

On Sunday, all are invited to a worship service beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Scott Family will lead the worship music and Caitlin McAlhany of Will’s Place Recovery Resource Center will present the message. A pot luck meal will follow the service.

Tickets ($30 in advance, $35 at the gate) may be purchased online at recoveryroadbluegrassfest.org, by phone at 980-581-8001(ext. 2), or in person at Will’s Place 737-A NC 24 Bypass East, Albemarle.