Road Trip: Moonshine and Music at Woodstick/150 Miles

by Paula Crouch Thrasher
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

• Woodstock in the sticks:
  We somehow managed to miss the first three, but the fourth annual Moonshiners’ Reunion and Mountain Music Festival at Plum Hollow Farm near New Prospect, SC, On Friday and Saturday caught our attention. Organizar Barney Barnwell, a fiddler who comes from a long line of moonshiners, promises “plenty of pickin’ in the woods all night long”- so bring your guitars, banjos and fiddles and as Barney says stay all weekend with us .
• Shine on, harvest moon:
  The folk celebration is the inspiration of Barnwell, who grew up listening to tales of the moonshiners of the ’30’s and ’40’s. He salutes these outlaws of yesteryear with songs like “Pierce Boys” and “Run Grandpa Run.” Says Barnwell: “Whether people like it or not, moonshining is as much a part of Southern culture as Baptists, NASCAR racing, peach ice cream and fatback.” Barnwell’s 50-acre farm-near South Carolina’s “Dark Corner,” one of moonshining’s hot spots- provides a pastoral setting with a covered bandstand and room to spread a quilt.
• Pickin’ favorites:
  The Plum Hollow Bands “mountain rock” sound is a raucous blend of high-energy bluegrass and rock’n’roll played on electric guitar, banjo, and fiddle. A popular party band on the Southern college circuit, Woodstick’s latest Cd is “Twenty Years in the Makin’.” Barnwell says the music “rolls out of the Blue Ridge Mountains like an overloaded pulpwood truck with no brakes.” PLum Hollow and many more will perform both days. Marshall Ballew plays Friday. Saturday’s lineup includes River Bend, Prograsstinators, Mountain Express and Michael B. Smith.
• Details:
  Music begins at 6pm Friday and 1pm Saturday; gates open at noon. $45 for both days; or 25.00 per day. No glass containers, 4Wheelers, fireworks or pets. NO EXCEPTIONS!!!
• Getting there:
  Take I-85 north to SC 9 at Spartanburg; go 12 miles to Rainbow Lake Road; turn left and drive one mile to Plum Hollow Formerly (Woodstick) Farm. Or go to festival page and get more detailed directions. Or Go to Mapquest.com. The address at farm is 5015 Rainbow Lake Road Campobello SC 29322.
• Staying Over:
  Bring a sleeping bag. There’s free “camping .” they also have Cabins for rent but they rent early (say’s Director Debbie Hunter) So Book in advance Cost is $100.00 per night sleeps 6 you must be 21 and have a credit card. Large Campers need to call in advance to insure getting a spot. Call 864-680-0225 or 864-592-9899 speak to Debbie or make reservations.