BRISTOL, TN/VA - Despite getting .6 inches of rain on the music festival's biggest day, Birthplace of Country Music, the parent organization of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, reports a 10 percent increase in attendance from its 2012 event.
More than 55,000 visitors, artists, vendors and volunteers converged onto historic downtown Bristol, VA/TN for the annual, three-day festival. Visitors from 45 states and four foreign countries were represented. Folks from as far away as the U.K., Scotland, Australia, the Middle East and South America watched the event's live stream from their computers.
"We are very fortunate to have a loyal fan base," says BCM Executive Director Leah Ross. "Many of our visitors come back year after year, and feedback from this year's festival has been overwhelmingly positive."
Among the items earning praise from fans, a new food court location on Lee Street, the addition of the Cumberland Square Park Stage and the festival's mobile app.
"We are addressing concerns over congestion at ticket gates and their locations," says Ross. "We will be switching to a new wristband scanning system and have more exit and entry gates next year."
Discount Weekend Passes to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2014, scheduled for Sept. 19-21, go on sale Dec. 1.
