General admission is free and taster tickets to get beer samples in the VIP tent are available at www.theshindig.net.

Sponsors include Foothills Brewing, Bedlam Vodka, JoCo Visitors Bureau and Downtown Clayton, NC.

Hope to see you out there but if you need more convincing, following are just five reasons to attend this year’s event:

1. It’s FREE. (‘Nuff said)

2. Songs from the Road Band. I had the chance to catch several of this Western N.C.-based band sets at IBMA this year and they are a lot of fun, upbeat and not-to-be missed. But don’t take my word for it, check out this video, “Road to Nowhere,” from their newest album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVT4YpJZsHA

3. Yarn. This originally Brooklyn-based group that now calls N.C. home had me at “Annie” the first time I caught their set at Rooster Walk Music and Arts Festival way back in 2013. Since then I have enjoyed listening to their music evolve over the years and any one who attended MerleFest earlier this year or The Shindig last year know that they are in for a treat when this group hits the stage.

4. Tan and Sober Gentlemen. The first time I heard these North Carolina-based Celtic rockers was at The Shingdig 2018 and I’ve been hooked ever since. I dare you to try NOT to dance when this Scotch-Irish hillbilly music playing group that performs only at full throttle hits the stage to close out the festival. If you like Dropkick Murphys, you’ll love these guys: https://youtu.be/850hxZHyUMU

5. The N.C. Craft beer (and the Bedlam Vodka produced in Durham). (Again ’nuff said.)