Headliner Miranda Lambert Concludes Second Blame My Roots Festival in Belmont County | News, Sports, Jobs

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ABOVE: Crowds watch country music star Lee Brice perform at the Blame My Roots Festival on Saturday night near Morristown. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)

MORRISTOWN – The last day of the Blame My Roots festival featured a rock performance by headliner Miranda Lambert on Saturday night.

Before Lambert performed, other artists took to the stage, including Lee Brice, Tenille Townes, Niko Moon and Allie Colleen.

Festival co-founder Chris Dutton said they know Lambert will only be a draw for the festival in its second year, but other aspects of the event have changed as well.

They added a VIP area that gave people extra amenities, including increased access to drinks and different foods. The festival also had more food vendors for general ticket holders this year.

Dutton estimated that the crowd was four times larger than the festival’s first year, in 2019. There was no festival in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s only the second time we’ve been doing this – not bad for the second time,” he said. “I think we even exceeded our own expectations.

As the festival is so new, it was the first time for many to attend the event. Centerville resident Ruth Barker and her friend Peggy Joseph from Zanesville decided to come and discover the festival and its famous headliner.

“I came to see Miranda Lambert,” said Joseph. “I like everything about her. She’s… a rebel and that’s who we are.

Country music star Miranda Lambert performs on stage at the Blame My Roots Festival to close the show on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Tyler Conrad)

Martins Ferry residents Kayley Wharton and Amy Madison came to watch their partners perform on the busker stage as part of the band Matt VanFossen. Wharton’s husband Jake Wharton played and Madison’s fiance Scott LaRue also played.

Meanwhile, inside the main stage, Tiffany and Justin Flowers were enjoying the music and the atmosphere of the festival. Tiffany Flowers said they had attended the late Jamboree In The Hills together in the past.

“We met at the Jamboree three years ago last night,” she said of the anniversary.

Tiffany Flowers added that she can’t wait to see Lee Brice perform.

Springfield residents Allison Drain brought her daughter, Abby Drain, 14, to the concert to celebrate her birthday, which was Saturday.

“This is her first gig,” noted Allison Drain.

The mother-daughter duo added that they enjoyed seeing Nico Moon perform. Abby Drain has stated that country is her favorite genre of music and that she would like to attend more country music festivals.

Meanwhile, the festival’s medical tent, sponsored by East Ohio Regional Hospital and Panhandle Cleaning and Restoration, had been fairly quiet during the festival. Nurse practitioner Brittany Rusnak said people most needed bandages and antacids. She noted that they had the staff and equipment to deal with more serious medical needs, and ambulances to transport people to the emergency room if needed.

Dr Tim Genetta also worked in the medical tent, who noted that the lack of hot weather likely helped reduce the number of people needing treatment. He also believes that customers who are not allowed to bring their own alcohol have also helped reduce the number of patients.

Festival goers had the option of buying beer inside the hall, and many followed ahead.

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