Event/Site: Piedmont Antique Power Association's  Bluegrass Celebration  in Mocksville  (Preceding July 4th Tractor Parade)

Date: July 3rd, bluegrass music from 6:00pm - until it stops.

Type: Evening bluegrass music, featuring regional musicians, on the day before the July 4th tractor parade (parade begins at 10:00am).

Location: Clement Grove Picnic Grounds are located at 201 Poplar Street off North Main Street (behind the Brock Performing Arts Center) in downtown Mocksville, NC.

Cost: Free.

Parking: Free. Parking adequate for bus tours.

Special Needs Access: Venue is fully accessible.

Signage: Signs at location, but not en route.

Sponsor: Piedmont Antique Power Association (PAPA)

Contact:
Jeffrey Cornatzer, President
Advance, NC
(336) 998-5511
jeffsbodyshp@yadtel.net

Kenneth Green, Music Chairman
Mocksville, NC
(336) 751-3852
hitnmiss@webtv.net

Description of Event: Musicians perform while tractors and their proud owners roll through Mocksville and down to Clement Grove Picnic Grounds. Other people come by, too, to visit and look at the beautifully restored antique machines. Two or three bands perform in the early evening, and later on, the stage is open for anyone who wants to play. There's no competition, and in fact, it's considered "a great place to experiment." Everyone comes out to play, and the music goes on into the night. Food is available on site.

History of Site/Event: This event began in 2000 and music has been a part of it since the beginning. The Piedmont Antique Power Association (PAPA) is a group of about 60 men in and around Davie County that restore old tractors. They meet once a month, and at one of their meetings decided to sponsor a July 4th tractor parade. July 3rd quickly became an official part of the planning.

Description of Site/Facility: The Clement Grove Picnic Grounds have been a popular gathering place for Davie County folks for over a century. Located in the heart of Mocksville behind the Brock Performing Arts Center, the fenced park has both open space and shade, a picnic shelter and a covered arbor. Benches in the arbor provide seating to watch the music competition, and people bring their lawn chairs for additional comfort.

Significance of Site/Event to the Community: The July 3rd bluegrass-event the day before the tractor parade is a wonderful gift to the surrounding community. Born from the Piedmont Antique Power Association's love for restored farm machinery, a tangible connection to the region's agricultural heritage, and for bluegrass, a direct connection to the region's musical heritage, the parade and bluegrass make a natural combo. The association has kept it simple and relaxed, creating that rare space where people are as comfortable playing in front of each other as they are playing with each other.