Tourism in Benton County, Tennessee
Benton County, which is located in northwest Tennessee, promotes its tourism through the Benton County/Camden Chamber of Commerce. The estimated population of the county in 2009 was 16,025, with 3,828 living in Camden, the county seat. Main roads include I-40 which cuts through the southeast part and Highway 70 which runs east/west through the narrow middle of the county. Bluegrass music plays a major role in this county's tourism trade.
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Patsy Cline Memorial
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Country singer Patsy Cline died in a plane crash in Benton County in 1963. A memorial at the crash site serves as a year-round tourist attraction. Admission is free. Take Exit 126 off I-40 and travel north on Highway 641 for approximately 15 miles until reaching the intersection of Highway 70 in Camden. Take the next left onto Mt. Carmel Rd and travel about 2.5 miles. The memorial is on the right.
The pilot of the plane, Randy Hughes, and the other two passengers, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas, also died in the crash. The chamber of commerce is looking to revive an event on the memorial's anniversary weekend in March, in time for the 50th anniversary of the crash in 2013.
Big Sandy Spring Festival
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The Big Sandy Spring Festival is held every year on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Big Sandy, the host town located in the northwest part of Benton County near the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge (Big Sandy Unit), has a population of 518, based on 2009 estimates. The festival features live music, art and crafts, a parade, car show, pony rides and fireworks. Take Highway 641 north from Camden and turn north on Highway 69 to reach the festival.
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Old Time Bluegrass and Fiddlers' Jamboree
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The Jamboree, known as the West Tennessee Championship, takes place annually in Holladay, Tennessee on the third Saturday in April to benefit Holladay Elementary School. On April 16, 2011, the Jamboree will mark its 55th year. A show on Friday night before the Jamboree called "Benton County's Got Talent" showcases talent from Benton County and surrounding areas. On Saturday morning, a parade kicks off the Jamboree followed by a barbecue in the school cafeteria, served from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. The school gym provides the setting for the Jamboree beginning at 1 p.m. Cash awards are presented in categories such as best fiddlers under the age of 10 and best bluegrass bands. From I-40, take Exit 126 on Highway 641 then turn west onto Hwy 192 to find Holladay.
Ryan Holladay Bluegrass Festival
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Benton County native Ryan Holladay hosts this festival on the last weekend in September in Camden City Park. According to the Camden Benton Chamber of Commerce, Holladay became the youngest performer on the Grand Ole Opry when he performed at age 5. The national recording artist has since appeared on numerous television shows including Oprah and Nickelodeon, and has performed at Carnegie Hall and in Japan. Holladay performs at the festival along with plenty of bluegrass bands.
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- Photo Credit bluegrass bass player image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
