The Bascom Lamar Lunsford Mountain Music Festival is an all-day festival celebrating regional music and dance traditions. The event is the second oldest folk festival in Western North Carolina and was named in honor of co-founder Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Lunsford was a musician and folklorist who dedicated his life to collecting and promoting the music of the Southern Appalachians.
The festival brings out the region’s finest musicians and dancers and it happens on the same day as the Madison Heritage Arts Festival, so downtown is abuzz. It includes the presentation of the Lunsford Award, master musician workshops, jams, a ballad swap, and a community dance. Everything is free of charge except for the instrument workshops. Join us in honoring the rich cultural traditions of the Southern Appalachians!
Because campus parking is limited, we strongly urge you to use the shuttle operated by the Madison Heritage Arts Festival. The shuttle will run from 9 am until 5 pm between the Ingles on Hwy 213 (where you can park your car) and the Park Drive MHU parking lot just below Broyhill Chapel on 213/Cascade Street.
Visit the Down The Road on the Blue Ridge Music Trails Podcast Library to hear more about Bascom Lamar Lunsford and explore many bluegrass and old-time music stories, performers, and traditions across the mountain and foothills counties of Western North Carolina.