Full Moon Pickin’ Party—an absolute Nashville MUST-do! I’ve been twice now and have set a goal to (hopefully) make it every month in 2017 (happens May-Oct). If Bluegrass music makes you smile and tap your feet, if you love being outdoors and can marvel at the splendor of a full moon, if you appreciate the tasty offerings of food trucks and cold beer on a Friday night, then you will LOVE this event as much as I do.
I’ve often said that full moons are the one thing in the world that continue to leave me with the same sense of wonder that I felt as a child at Christmas time. Multiple times I have been driving at night and unexpectedly come upon a full moon and gasped at the beauty of it. If remotely possible, I have been known to pull over, or, if at home (or at the beach!), to just sit and stare at it for a while. It sounds a bit odd to “watch” a seemingly non-moving object, but its brilliant beauty just leaves me awestruck. Although millions of people around the world obviously see its light 12 times every year, I still somehow feel it is a personal reminder to me each month of how much I’m loved by its Creator—I suppose simply because I love it so much. 🙂
So, all that to say, to have a monthly event in my hometown that is scheduled around a full moon with one of my favorite genres of music as the backdrop soundtrack just delights my heart! The Pickin’ Parties are held at the Warner Park Equestrian Center (off Old Hickory Blvd.) and the funds of ticket sales help support the Warner Parks. You can pack a picnic blanket or lawnchairs, bring food of your choosing, or get an excellent burger, biscuit sandwiches, or homemade s’mores (among many other options!) from a circle of food trucks. No outside alcohol is permitted, but your wristband gets you up to four draft beers from a variety of brews (water and soft drinks also included with price of admission). The seating tends to center around the bands on the main “stage” (side of the beautiful barn used for the horses during Steeplechase), but anyone can bring in an acoustic instrument (which lowers the ticket price for you!) and strike up an ensemble with other local musicians. It’s fascinating to me to see varied voices and instruments come together, speak the language of music and create magic. I love watching the joy on musicians’ faces as they give their gift of music to an equally joyful captive audience–you just can’t help but smile while listening to Bluegrass music 🙂
I truly, truly recommend trying out this event when it starts up in a few months! Especially on a clear, warm summer night, it is the perfect, happy ending to a long workweek. It feels grassroots, down home, small town, organically and authentically Nashville—all the ideals we hope to continue to see in our music city.
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