A Perfect Festival Venue
With Denton FarmPark, you have a winning formula for the perfect music venue: an expansive covered inclined seating area, a large attractive stage, great sound, lots of good food vendors, clean permanent restrooms, and plenty of shady campsites, all set in a spacious rural agricultural setting. Over the past four decades, such bluegrass notables as Alison Krauss, Bill Monroe, JD Crowe, The Osborne Brothers, Mac Wiseman and the Bluegrass Album Band have graced the stage.
The park consists of about 170 acres with 500 campsites. The music hall was expanded in the early ‘90s and an additional 800 seats were added. Park co-owner, Karen Miller, elaborated, “We now can seat 1,600 people.” Miller (daughter of FarmPark founder, the late Brown Loflin) reflected on the park’s origin. “Our first event was held in July 1970. Called The Fly-In, it was a fundraiser for our local rescue squad. Several of my dad’s friends brought their planes in to give airplane rides to the community.”
FarmPark emcee and employee, Doug Stuart recalled, “On that hot summer day, there were four airplanes giving rides, a pony ride, three antique hit and miss engines on display, and a barbecue food trailer.”
Miller stressed, “It was such an overwhelming success that antique farm machinery with wheat threshing-style food: chicken pie, pintos, green beans, and cornbread were added to the event.”
Loflin’s daughter shared a little history. “Wheat threshing is what local farmers did in June/July, early in the 19th Century. Farmers would gather their wheat and maybe only one or two farmers had equipment to ‘thresh’ wheat, the process of separating the grain from the chaff. The name changed from the Fly-In to the Southeast Old Threshers’ Reunion. It became the largest steam, gas, and antique farm machinery show in the southeast in the early ‘80s. It is now considered one of the Top Five Tractor Shows in the US!”
“This five-day event features over 1200 antique tractors, hit and miss engines, and the Handy Dandy Railroad, and of course, bluegrass music,” stated Stuart. “Denton Farmpark has so many facets for so many people. Nestled in the southern tip of Davidson County, NC, at the edge of the Uwharrie Mountains, locals simply call it ‘The FarmPark’ because it is a longstanding fixture of community hosting many events.”
Miller continued, “I think my dad’s vision for the FarmPark came into fruition when he saw the success of the Threshers’ Reunion. It sparked his passion to preserve history, especially local history. He was able to save and restore many local buildings from the Jackson Hill community including the Jackson Hill Church (that Doyle Lawson came to call the ‘Model Church’), general store/post office, The Richmond Reid house, barn and other buildings. Also his uncle, Dewey, and Claude Elliott’s gas station and community store.
“One of our biggest attractions is the Handy Dandy Railroad. The train was brought to the FarmPark in the 1979. It was restored and was running by 1982 on a 1.5 mile track. We operate it during each of our events. We also have a radio museum, shoe shop, service station, grist mill, and machine shop. We have approximately 500 total campsites with hookups and 87 campsites with full hookups. Most of the campsites are within walking distance of the music hall.”
Once the Threshers’ Reunion was established, the bluegrass festival began. “The Denton Bluegrass Festival was started by Milton Harkey, the original promoter. It was always held the weekend following the Threshers’ Reunion in July,” Miller added.
Harkey elaborated, “I started the Festival in 1981. I called Doyle Lawson and asked if he wanted be the host band. He agreed. For 17 years, I produced my event there. I believe it is certainly one of the finest venues anywhere for a Bluegrass Festival with a camping area shaded with trees, a covered concert area, and a big, long road setup for vendors. It was there that I hired the Bluegrass Album Band to play in 1982. At that time, and to the best of my knowledge, this was the first bluegrass performance for Tony Rice with a full band in six and a half years on the east coast. That was truly was a magical time with many more combinations of musicians and reunions to come.”
Miller stated, “In 1997, Denton FarmPark took over the booking and promoting of the event with Doyle Lawson’s permission. We changed to Mother’s Day Weekend. It took a few years to get the date established, but it was the only way we could promote the event ourselves and make it work around other festivals.
“Working with Doyle Lawson has been such a pleasure over the years. I remember meeting with him, and his wife, Suzanne, in Mt. Airy, along with my dad, mom, and my two children, Laramie and Landry. We would meet at McDonald’s so the kids could play while we discussed the next year’s festival.
“I have much admiration for Doyle. First, he is a Christian. Second, he has always treated my family with respect and dignity. And third, he gave each performance the best of his ability. My family so appreciated that he took time out of his busy schedule to sing with three of his band members at my dad’s funeral on September 16, 2019 at the FarmPark.”
With Doyle’s retirement at the end of 2021, the Malpass Brothers have been selected by the Loflins (Brown’s widow, Ruby, and his children, Karen and Keith) to serve as the Mother’s Day weekend host band. Miller declared, “It is sad to say goodbye to Doyle. A legend in the bluegrass world, his music and sound will live on forever, especially since his band is continuing. On the other hand, we are excited to announce that the Malpass Brothers will be hosting the festival beginning this year. We are keeping the lineup Doyle helped us with including: Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Sideline, Darin and Brook Aldridge, Authentic Unlimited (Doyle’s former band), High Fidelity, Deeper Shade of Blue, King James Boys, Fast Track, Larry Efaw, Drive Time, Tennessee Bluegrass Band, Tim Raybon Band, Donna Ulisse, and Caroline & Company.”
Ruby Loflin shared, “I am sad that Doyle is retiring. We will miss him and his music. I admire him and his great career. He will always be a part of the Denton FarmPark family!”
Miller stressed, “The Malpass Brothers will continue the tradition of having great music at the festival. Next year, they will be inserting their own bluegrass and country favorites to the festival as Doyle has done over the years. They plan on continuing the open stage on Wednesday before and the church service on Sunday after the festival. Also, Chris and Taylor have plans to make the festival more fan friendly than ever before!”
The Malpass Brothers are excited to return to the FarmPark, this time as hosts. Chris Malpass stated, “We have been going to Denton, NC, since we were kids. This festival and the grounds are one of the most beautiful sites we have been to. The historical buildings with the train and its rolling hills are the perfect family setting. It’s a slice of heaven, or better known as North Carolina, for all to experience. We are so honored and look forward to meeting and spending time with old friends and new at this festival.”
His brother, Taylor, added. “We are so excited to introduce new friends and fans who have not been to Denton to visit this park. It’s a great time for adults and kids with camping and activities for all. Not to forget the great music that will be enjoyed as well. I just can’t say enough about this great venue.”
Johnny Ridge, fiddler with the Malpasses, has a long history with Denton FarmPark. “Their music hall is legendary. I believe that it is the longest continuous running bluegrass festival in NC. I played with several different bands between the bluegrass festival and the Threshers’ Reunion. I was on stage with the Bass Mountain Boys, Al Batten & Bluegrass Reunion, and Pete Corum & Rising Sun (with my daddy, Don Wright, and Ronnie Privette). I also filled in with James King and Danny Paisley there.”
Jeff Branch, one of the festival’s moderators, conveyed. “This festival is a favorite one of mine. It’s got a country feel and a family atmosphere. The Loflins put on a true Americana Festival that families enjoy from generation to generation. It is actually where I got my start as an emcee.”
Stuart, agreed. “Ask any bluegrass musician, you’ll find that Denton means 41 years of top-notch bluegrass.”
Keith Loflin, Karen’s brother, happily runs the ticket booth, selling tickets to folks that come for the day to hear the music. He stated, “A lot of people who come are concerned that I don’t get to hear the music. I always say, ‘I am good. I appreciate your concern,’ with a smile!”
In addition to the Threshers’ Reunion and Bluegrass Festival, the Denton FarmPark also offers an annual holiday event held weekends (and more) between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Miller explained, “My dad had a vision of the Country Christmas Train event that is held here each year. Keeping Christ in Christmas was in the vision including Christmas lights, a movie about the birth of Jesus, and the program in the church. The Country Christmas Train has been the fastest growing event at the FarmPark and has been going on now for 13 years. In 2008, when the Christmas Train started, we added a new engine, the HPT&D (High Point, Thomasville and Denton Railroad engine). It is a diesel and much more efficient to run during the 20-night span of the event.”
Stuart reflected, “We lost Brown Loflin in 2019, but his legacy still lives strong. In addition to the aforementioned events, the Denton FarmPark hosts many shows that include the Antique Motorcycle Club of America; The Carolina Pickers Antique Festival and Swap Meet; a military show, and new to 2022, Jeeps on the Farm, which promises to bring all things Jeep together.”
Miller concluded, “We are only open to the public during events. In 2022, we will be hosting 11 events. Our work though, continues 52 weeks a year as we restore, maintain, and add to the FarmPark.”
Stuart shared his thoughts when Loflin passed away. “Many would say Brown Loflin was a hard worker, a visionary, or a dreamer. While all of those things are true, what my wife, Stacey, and I found most through the years was that Brown was our friend; a true friend that showed respect through a handshake and that was as good as any contract. Denton FarmPark brings people together. Brown Loflin understood the true meaning of together.”
Brown Loflin would be pleased to see how his venue continues to grow and bring so much happiness to others.
Denton FarmPark is located at 1072 Cranford Road, Denton, NC.
