Hundreds Gather at FarmFest

The Whitehead family farm on Maynes Mill Road in Farmington looks like a storybook come to life.  With big shady trees, a quaint farm house near the road, several barns made of tin with a southern rustic patina, fence around rolling green pastures, and tractors at rest leave little doubt it's the epitome of a southern farm.

Big shiny motorcycles and tall black speakers sitting atop a gooseneck trailer, however, make you think you should look around for Willie and John Mellencamp.

If history keeps repeating itself, those two will probably show up with the rest of the growing number of music-loving Oconee families who, for the fourth year in a row, turned out in droves for FarmFest.

“If it grows any larger we will have to seek a bigger venue.” said Tracy Carroll, a close friend of organizer Chuck Whitehead.  “I got here at 11 this morning and have made numerous trips back to town to help pull everything together today.”

Carroll, lead singer for The Rattlers, was scheduled to perform later in the evening.

“This started out as a birthday party for my younger brother, Adam, four years ago.” Whitehead said. His grandfather owns the 80+ acre farm where they previously raised cattle.  “We had a couple of bands that first year, and the next year decided we’d center it around the Fourth of July and add more music.  About 300 people showed up that second year.”

With the help of a little advertising and sponsors, 400 people showed up by the third year, Carroll said.

"We expect 500 or more after the sun goes down this evening," Carroll said.

Whitehead described the feeling of the event like a family reunion.

“It’s like a family reunion, high school reunion, and birthday party all rolled into one big event," he said. "We can’t express how much we appreciate the community support.”

With this year's sponsors, the event was taken up a notch.  Classic City Napa on Atlanta Highway showed up with an outdoor air conditioning machine blowing much appreciated cool air under the food tent.  Volunteers cooked hamburgers and hot dogs and served up all the fixings. 

Blind Pig Tavern westside contributed beverages, Musicians Warehouse and Hawg Pen Motorcycles also contributed, with the folks from Hawg Pen even organizing a motorcycle group ride to the venue.

“I could not have done it without the sponsors.  I am so appreciative of all they’ve done to support us.” said Whitehead, who was sporting one of the event's t-shirts, made by Old Guard Graphics, another sponsor.

“We haven’t tried to make money at it, really,”  Carroll said. “We just want to get the musicians paid.  So many others have just volunteered to help, like the cooks, the sound guys, and numerous others.  It’s just fun and everybody has rallied around it.”

For a $15 cover charge guests had full access to the food tent but were also encouraged to bring coolers and picnic baskets.  They also were entertained by some of the area’s most talented bands. 

Bands included new talent such as Emily McCannon and The Smoking Hot Band, as well as established acts such as The Rick Fowler Band.  Others acts slated for the evening included The Rattlers, Matt Joiner, 90 Acre Farm, Chris McKay and The Critical Darlings, Athens Showtime with Elite the Show Stoppa, and The Clay Leverett Band.

“We are so happy that folks are enjoying it and are taking good care of the place while they are here,” Whitehead said as he looked out over a rainbow of tents and folding chairs. “It’s been a fun thing to do for the community.”