WALB.com News, Weather and Sports for Albany, Valdosta and Thomasville. Leading the way for South Georgia. | Hahira brings blue grass festival back to life
Member Center:
By Jade Bulecza - bio | email
VALDOSTA, GA (WALB) - The last Great Hahira Pick-In was held more than a decade ago. Now, with the help of a major supermarket, the festival is back for one last time.
Friends jam out with one another for fun and to get ready for the Great Hahira Pick-In.
"It started back in the 80's by a man named Wilby Coleman and a group of his colleagues, and they loved bluegrass music and he came up with the idea to start it," said J. D. Yeager, of the Pick-in Committee.
It was such a success that it continued for 16 years. "It got to be such a handful to deal with, plus the expense of it, that they wound up deciding they wouldn't have it anymore," said Yeager.
When Harvey's Supermarket purchase the property where the pick-in was held, they learned how much the event meant to the community and wanted to pitch in.
"They wrote a big check to underwrite this thing. Then any proceeds that come in will go to the second harvest foodbank."
Everyone is invited to come out and bring their bluegrass fiddles and banjos. "The last performance by the Hahira Bluegrass Band is 'Will the Circle be Unbroken,' and the crowd will be able to play with them."
Some traveling from as far away as Vermont to attend this Pick-in.
Next year the site will be the location of a new Harvey's supermarket. The store's economic impact on the community is expected to be $2.5 million.
"We need a big investor to come into the community and bring in more traffic through town," said Hahira Mayor Wayne Bullard.
Harvey's is expected to attract more business to the area.
"It opens up service to those living in Northern Lowndes County, South Cook County, east Brooks County," said event organizer Avery Walden. "It acts as a good centrally located hub for those to connect."
Four thousand people are expected to come out Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on highway 122 near exit 29 on I-75.
©2009 WALB News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Feedback
Comments Terms of Use: We welcome your participation in our community. Please keep your comments civil and on point. Notify us of any inappropriate comments by clicking the “Mark as Offensive” link. You must be at least 13 years of age to post comments. By submitting a comment, you agree to these
Terms of Service
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Login or register See all comments |
gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home.
Check out a business or charity, or file a complaint.
operates the world's largest product testing and research lab.
works to prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices in the marketplace.
