Cigar Box Guitar Festival is back in Huntsville for its 32nd year

Did you know that the world’s longest-running cigar box festival is right here in Huntsville? Well, it most certainly is, and it’s back in just a few weeks for its 32nd edition.

The 3-day Cigar Box Guitar Festival happens May 29-31 and is free to attend.

The world’s longest-running cigar box guitar festival is back

Cigar box guitars have inspired a whole subculture of artists and musicians, and that is evident in the nationwide turnout to this Huntsville-based festival.

Believe it or not, this is a free event (although donations are encouraged), which makes it even more unique in today’s environment. And it features some incredible musicians that come together to share this love for cigar box guitars.

“Music is not only enriching for the soul, it’s beneficial to the brain, so I am pleased to organize this event to benefit music education to youngsters in our community. With Huntsville’s role as a music city, the Foundation’s programs focusing on our youngest residents will help foster a music community for decades to come.”

_{Tara Mello, event producer and co-owner of The Cigar Box Guitar Store}

Here’s how the schedules for the event shapes up:

Day 1 (Friday, May 29) at Lowe Mill

• 6-9PM: Concert on the Dock at Lowe Mill featuring John Nickel and 5ive O’Clock Charlie, with special guest Otis Walker (in the event of rain, this show will be moved inside to the connector event space).

Day 2 (Saturday, May 30) at Lowe Mill

• 11AM: Cigar box guitar fans can head over to Lowe Mill throughout the day and learn about playing a CBG in both beginner and advanced lessons as well as get tips on building their own CBGs.
• There will be a screening of “Songs Inside The Box,” a documentary about the 2006 Cigar Box Guitar Festival in Huntsville and a preview of an upcoming documentary about the significance of cigar box guitar music in Alabama.
• 6PM: Ravenwood Meadery’s new location (at the former Tangled String Studios location) will host a how that starts with Lindy Urban and finishes with Box of Smoke.

Day 3 (Sunday, May 31) at The Orion Amphitheater

• 2-7PM: 40 vendors offering vintage and handmade items, vinyl records and other music media as well as local art, family-friendly events and a live performance from the trio April Mae & The June Bugs.
• 7PM: Grammy-winner Gary Nichols and the legendary FAME Gang from FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals in an intimate 300-seat environment at The Orion (tickets start at $25)

All proceeds from the festival go toward local music education, supporting the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation.

“This festival is such a beautiful reminder of the creativity and heart that lives right here in our community. Supporting local businesses
like The Cigar Box Guitar Store and non-profits like the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation is not only meaningful—it’s essential.”

_{Alex Craig, General Manager of The Orion Amphitheater}

For more information, check out the Cigar Box Guitar Store website.

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