Campsite Cook-Off Octoberfest Features Food And Music At Douthat State Park

Music from three bands performing at Whispering Pines Campground, the southernmost camping area of Douthat State Park, entertained a large gathering on Sat., Oct. 8, a cool, sunny day.

Many of the trees’ leaves had turned from green into a collage of colors, creating a scenic background for the vendors and competitors who were set up in their RVs and tents on the east side of Wilson Creek.

The Highlands Blues Band opened the musical part of Octoberfest, and Rally Cry followed before Chad Nichols and Loose Change closed out the music that was set up in front of Douthat State Park’s public restroom building where a Kroger sign was posted above the bands as each played.

COVID-19 forced the event to be canceled in 2020, but from the packed camping area and the many competing teams hopeful of winning the top prize, Campsite Cook-Off evidenced that COVID-19 is no longer hampering public events.

The Alleghany Highlands Blues Society’s Highlands Blues Band opened the musical concerts at the Campsite Cook-Off at Whispering Pines on Sat., Oct. 8. (L-R Front: Neva Persinger, vocalist; Bobby Deacon, rhythm guitar; and Barbara Duff, vocalist. L-R Back: Kevin Persinger, guitar and vocalist; Michael Duff, Drummer; Billy Berberrette, bass guitar and vocalist; and Johnny King, lead/slide guitar and vocalist). (Photo by M. Ray Allen)

The competition was stiff as teams competed for prizes in various categories at Whispering Pines Campground on Sat., Oct. 8. (Photo by M. Ray Allen)