For two whole decades, music lovers from far and wide have been making the pilgrimage to rural Chatham County, North Carolina, for one of the state’s most beloved festivals. The Shakori Hills Grass Roots Festival sprawls across 75 acres in the scenic town of Pittsboro, a mere two-and-a-half-hour drive from Wilmington.
Now, here’s the kicker that sets Shakori apart from the rest: it doesn’t happen just once a year, but twice! Yep, you read that right – this festivity extravaganza takes place in both spring and fall.
This year, the autumn edition of the festival is slated for October 5th through the 8th. Brace yourselves for four days of non-stop action, featuring two stages and a whopping 64 performances. They’re expecting to draw in a crowd of 8,000 to 10,000 passionate music enthusiasts.
But here’s the scoop, folks – pulling off an event of this magnitude requires an army of dedicated volunteers, and, quite frankly, Shakori’s cup is running dry in that department. So, the organizers have come up with a pretty sweet deal: a free four-day pass to the festival for anyone willing to chip in with a four-hour shift per day. Plus, you get to choose your preferred time slots, so you won’t miss out on the acts you’re dying to see.
In a press release that’s just been dropped on their website, the festival shares some wisdom from recent volunteers who’ve had the privilege of working alongside the incredible team that brings Shakori Hills to life.
Becky puts it like this: “GrassRoots always provides me with the gift of sheer bliss and perpetual hope that I take with me and share after I leave. I volunteer simply because I want others to have those same experiences that I have had over the years, and that cannot happen without the volunteers.”
Todd chimes in with this nugget: “When you volunteer at GrassRoots, you not only enrich your life but also get to form a new family. Volunteering makes you see the bigger picture of what it really takes to put on a music festival. So please volunteer and leave your worries at the road!”
And here’s Chris’s two cents: “Volunteering for GrassRoots was one of the best things I ever did for myself and my music community. Helping to create a big, good thing rewards us with a feeling of accomplishment that lets us know we are each a part of a community that can do HUGE things. Anyone who contributes to that is a hero in my book.”
Now, let’s talk about the real stars of the show – this year’s performers! Brace yourselves for the incredible lineup, featuring Mavis Staples, Donna The Buffalo, Kabaka Pyramid, and Big Daddy Love.
So, if you’re feeling the itch for some music, camaraderie, and the chance to be a hero in Chris’s book, click here for more information on how you can join the Shakori Hills Grass Roots Festival family. They can’t wait to have you on board!
(pictures courtesy Shakori Hills Grass Roots Festival Facebook Page)