Earl Scruggs Music Festival returns to Mill Spring

Earl Scruggs Music Festival returns to Mill Spring

Published 1:10 pm Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Three-day event set for Labor Day weekend

MILL SPRING—The 4th Annual Earl Scruggs Music Festival will return to the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring from Friday, August 29, to Sunday, August 31, bringing three days of music and community in celebration of one of bluegrass’s most influential figures.

Presented in partnership by the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby and WNCW-FM, the festival pays tribute to Scruggs with a mix of nationally recognized artists, rising acts, and regional performers. The event continues to build on its reputation as one of the premier gatherings of bluegrass, Americana, and roots music in the Southeast.

Headliners this year include Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sam Bush and Watchhouse. More than 40 acts are slated to perform, including The War and Treaty, Town Mountain, Sister Sadie, and the Del McCoury Band. Performances will span multiple stages, ranging from the main amphitheater to smaller spaces designed for jam sessions and acoustic sets.

The festival also emphasizes family-friendly experiences and educational opportunities. Activities include a Bluegrass-Over-Easy breakfast, a kids’ zone, and workshops for both new and experienced musicians. Additional programming will highlight regional culture with food, crafts and demonstrations.

A Kick-Off Welcome Party will also take place on Thursday, beginning at 4:30 p.m., which is free and open to the public. Visitors will enjoy performances on the Foggy Mountain Stage, including the Battle of the Banjos Band competition winner, Holler Choir, and Finkelstein 3.

The venue offers camping, hotels, restaurants, and retail on-site, creating a contained festival atmosphere in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Ticket options include single-day passes, three-day packages, and VIP levels. 

Scruggs, a Cleveland County native, rose to prominence in the 1940s alongside Lester Flatt as part of the Foggy Mountain Boys. His three-finger banjo-picking style revolutionized bluegrass and became known simply as “Scruggs style.” He went on to win multiple Grammy Awards, earn a National Medal of Arts, and secure induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. His music influenced generations of artists across bluegrass, folk, and country.

The Earl Scruggs Center, housed in Shelby’s historic courthouse, continues to preserve his legacy through exhibits, educational programming, and its role in presenting the annual festival.

For more details on the complete lineup of artists or to buy tickets, visit earlscruggsmusicfest.com

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