In Your Neighborhood: Make the Pilgrimage

YOUR Guide to the 2021 Pilgrimage Festival

Dave Matthews Band, The Black Keys, Maren Morris and Cage The Elephant top the hit-making bill, as Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival brings live music back on September 25th and 26th. Hosted in its seventh year at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, the celebration of art, culture and diverse music.

Five stages featuring 50+ acts will stand on the 200-acre park, boasting main stages Fender Premium Audio Midnight Sun and Gold Record Road Stage, alongside local stages Shady Grove, Lil’ Pilgrims Family Stage, and Americana Music Triangle Experience – built by Mike Wolfe from HISTORY’s American Pickers.

The brainchild of Better Than Ezra singer and Franklin resident Kevin Griffin – among co-founders W. Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan – Pilgrimage continues its mission to support the region’s makers, distillers, and brewers food vendors by providing an all-encompassing hometown experience.

Offering curated VIP Village – seventy booths stocked with handcrafted works, wares and wearables; the festival grounds will house thirty-five local restaurants and cafes serving their most popular dishes, alongside Farm to Turntable Food Truck Park – twenty of the area’s best food trucks, plus Craft Beer Hall that’s complete with an array of libations like craft beers, local whiskeys, hard seltzers, specialty drinks and frozen treats.

Committed to making a year-round impact and being a driving force in bringing tourism to Williamson County, the festival has a direct partnership with the Recording Academy’s nonprofit MusiCares, donating a portion of every ticket sale to help members of the music community in need, as well as Friends of Franklin Parks, which leads fundraising and preservation efforts at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm. Additional nonprofit partners include community organizations: The Heritage Foundation, High Hopes Development Center, BrightStone, GraceWorks Ministries and Mercy Community Healthcare.

AMERICANA MUSIC TRIANGLE EXPERIENCE

Where they have brought to life the culture of some of the world’s premier music tourism destinations, right here at the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival! In its second year, the Americana Music Triangle Experience is a dedicated space where attendees can immerse themselves in world-famous music landmarks, tucked away hamlets and one-of-a-kind stops along the Gold Record Road. They hope to inspire fans to plan road trips of their own to visit each of these partner cities.

MILLVILLE MARKET

This offbeat festival “village” is a collection of tiny houses and lounge furniture on the front lawn for folks to chill between sets. It is a whimsical take on a studio of the same name, where Justin Timberlake and his Creative Director Trace Ayala engage in creative pursuits. There are additional makers in buses, campers and other rolling stock unique to Millville.

FARM TO TURN-TABLE

Farm to Turntable is the food truck park located in the South Paddock, which includes your favorite food trucks, picnic tables, shaded areas, seating, active kitchens and spirit activations. This new element was introduced at the 2017 Pilgrimage Festival.

FOR YOUR LIL’ PILGRIMS

Kids programming includes award-winning entertainers on the Lil’ Pilgrims stage, plus activities and craft making. The Lil’ Pilgrim’s area has expanded the activities stage, The Mare Barn Theater, to include sessions in kid improv, up-close puppet and magic shows and a songwriting workshop for children.

MAKERS VILLAGE

Makers Village is the marketplace featuring southern makers, local artisans and craftsmen in keeping with the larger Pilgrimage vision of creating a one-of-a-kind experience in an authentic, handcrafted way to create an exceptional customer experience.

FOOD VENDORS & MAKERS VILLAGE VENDORS

For a complete list of shops and food vendors go to pilgrimagefestival.com

HEALTH & SAFETY/COVID-19

In keeping with the festival’s commitment to public safety and the music industry’s increasing alignment on the pandemic, The Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival is requiring all patrons be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 48-hours of the first day of the festival to enter the festival site. All specifics related to COVID-19 requirements can be found at pilgrimagefestival.com.

RAIN OR SHINE

Be prepared with sunscreen, sunglasses, one water bottle and a raincoat because Pilgrimage is rain or shine! Rain or shine except in the case of inclement weather that poses a threat to patron safety.

MEDICAL

There are two medical tents located inside the festival grounds. Please refer to your attendee map to familiarize yourself with these locations. Medical tents are marked with red flags and can be easily identified on-site. Do not hesitate to visit medical tents if you experience any health problems. Stay hydrated!