Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Winners Announced

Sevierville’s 11th Annual Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival, held this past weekend attracted more than 40,000 local and out-of-town guests to downtown Sevierville for two full days and nights filled with arts, crafts, toe-tapping music and some of the best barbeque in the world.

The sweet smells emanating from this year’s Bush’s Best Tennessee State Championship Barbeque Cook-Off filled the mountain valley for the entire weekend. A total of 45 cook teams from around the country participated, with Q-Factor being named this year’s Grand Champion, while the Swiggin’ Pig team earned the Reserve Grand Champion award.

The Mountain Soul Vocal Competition, presented by Sound Biscuit Productions featured talented artists of all ages, with Janessa Morgan earning the top spot and grand prize in the 13+ age division while singing “I Will Always Love You.” Second place went to Murrella Parton who sang “Walter Henry Hagan.” Third place honors went to Denise Michelle, singing “Act like a Fool.”

2015 Mountain Soul Winners – Janessa Morgan and Erin Ott

First place in the 12 and under category went to Erin Ott who sang “Joshua.” Carson Mac Kilpatrick took home second place singing “Tonight I Couldn’t Dance,” while Olivia Claire Wall won third place singing “All I Can Do.”

“The continued growth and popularity of the festival would not be possible without all of our volunteers and the year-round support of this community,” said Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Amanda Maples Marr. “The festival has truly become one of the premier events in the Smokies and we’re excited for even more bluegrass and barbeque next May.”

Mark your calendars now for next year’s Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival slated for May 20-21, 2016.