Organized by the same groups that stage Firefly, Big Barrel’s marquee acts include married country music stars, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert and old school favorites Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard.
Friday night, Jeff and Judy Cornell staked a spot in front of the mainstage an hour before Blake Shelton’s headlining set. The couple was in Dover a year ago for a NASCAR race and traveled from Bainbridge, New York for the three-day Big Barrel festival.
“We are in a motel, the drive was about 5 hours and it's been wonderful. We went to the beach today and we love being in Dover,” said Judy Cornell.
While Judy said Saturday’s rain would not stop her from seeing old school country music star Loretta Lynn, Jeff joked he might sneak off to Dover Downs Casino.
Elsewhere, Aaron Winkler of Easton, Pennsylvania was wearing a cowboy hat and black jeans which were made all the blacker after he dove headfirst into a large muddy puddle. The 25-year old Jake Owen fan is camping in the Woodlands with a group of friends.
My girlfriend bought me tickets back in February which was my birthday and I ain’t heard about it til she told me about the fact that she bought me the tickets," said Owen. "So, I’ve been looking forward to it since then and I’m happy I’m here now, I’ll tell you that right now."
Big Barrel marketed itself as a family friendly event. While Firefly’s attractions included a beercade and silent disco, Big Barrel features The Patch, a petting zoo where kids could feed baby goats and piglets and The Harvest Moon Dance Hall which features all ages line dancing.
Big Barrel wraps up Sunday night with headliner Carrie Underwood.