Murfreesboro musician John Balch, one of the founding Uncle Dave Macon Days performers, and Festival President Gloria Christy shared the story of this Grand Ole Opry legend Tuesday (7/9/2013) with the Murfreesboro Rotary Club.

This is the thirty-sixth year for the event, and it has grown from humble beginnings on the Murfreesboro square to bringing almost 50-thousand visitors to Cannonsburgh Pioneer Village each year.

Balch is an accomplished claw-hammer banjo play. That's the style used by Uncle Dave. In fact, he shared that style with the noon Rotary members who were gathered for their weekly lunch at the Stones River Country Club.

The local Rotary Club has had its 100-plus members selling tickets over the past three years in which admission has been charged.

Christy noted, "This year it will be even more simple.  Admission is $5 for Friday and $5 for Saturday. Children age 12 and younger, accompanied by a paid adult, are admitted free.

Cannonsburgh Pioneer Village is on Front Street, and free parking is available in the city garage that's under the Murfreesboro City Hall and the Linebaugh Public Library. The city's Rover Bus will shuttle visitors to the festival at no cost.