The upcoming Sweet Carolina Music Festival, May 3, came about when The Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center (SMPCC) reached out to me last year about doing a fundraiser for them. They knew that I had helped organize benefits in our community for nonprofits in need, including Together We Can and Future of Hope Family Ministries.
I had always organized events that encompassed a sit-down meal and live auction, but I felt like I really wanted to do something different for SMPCC – something that I had never done before. I was interested in helping not only raise money for this organization that is near and dear to my heart, but organize an event that would bring people together in our community and the region. I also desired to assist with an event that could grow year after year and provide revenue for our county and local businesses, all while benefiting one of our most valued nonprofits.
Last year, I purchased tickets for the Rock the Country Music Festival in Anderson, S.C., and that prompted me to consider, “Why can’t we have something like that in Macon County – something that would showcase local artists and bring our local vendors and food trucks together in one place. People are regularly saying that there is nothing to do around here, so I thought, “Why not give them something to do?” This could be a huge event for not only SMPCC, but our county as a whole.
So, I started asking around to get a census as to whether or not people would even be interested in having an event like this here. An acquaintance told me about John Morgan, an up-and-coming country music star from Sylva. Morgan used to play with Mountain Faith, which advanced to the 2015 semifinals of America’s Got Talent. Currently, Morgan is Number 5 on the Country Music Charts with his song “Friends Like That,” featuring Jason Aldean.
(Read more about John Morgan in Deena C. Bouknight’s May 9, 2024, article at www.maconsense.org.)
Once I had solidified John Morgan as the festival’s headliner, I began calling around to local businesses about sponsoring the event. I was honestly surprised about the excitement and willingness expressed to not only be a sponsor, but to also help promote it. It affirmed to me that this was something that our county really did need.
Many businesses I spoke with talked about how nice it would be to see something going on at the Macon County Veterans Memorial Park on Georgia Road. It didn’t take long before a light bulb went off in my head. I realized that this event was meant to take place “at the park,” and I was going to do whatever it took to make that happen!
Now I wasn’t exactly sure how I was going to convince the county to let me do it, but I knew I had to try. But the Macon County Commissioners got on board and they voted unanimously to move forward with the festival. I believe this is a segue to something great. I can see so many events that could happen at the park in the future. I can’t thank Commissioners Josh Young, John Shearl, and [Macon County Parks and Recreation director] Seth Adams enough for helping me navigate through this process and for helping to speed things along for us.
I am such a believer in how God works, and I always pray over these ventures before I ever commit to taking them on – because it can be a lot and I don’t want to let anyone down. It’s always difficult raising money and adding the extra task of finding sponsors, vendors, and artists. But God is so, so good. Everything has just fallen into place and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Now we just need to get people purchasing tickets, because all the proceeds will be donated to The Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center, which provides education, counseling, supplies, testing, ultrasounds, and more for girls and women experiencing unexpected pregnancies.
Sweet Carolina Music Festival is from 2 to 9 p.m. on May 3, with John Morgan performing at 7 p.m. Prior to his performance, festival goers will hear musicians Kody Paul, Joe Lasher, Jennifer Hart, Jason Passmore, and R.A. Nightingale, as well as the Chip Perry Band and Alton Lane Band. For tickets, and to learn more about each entertainer, visit: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/i. Or, check out the Sweet Carolina Music Festival Facebook page.