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Moo Brew And Que Festival Welcomes 2 Country Music Favorites To North Carolina

We love a good music festival.  And, if you throw in some beer and barbecue it’s even better.  So, this weekend’s Moo Brew and Que festival is the perfect combo. …

moo brew and que festival performer lee brice singing on stage
(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

We love a good music festival.  And, if you throw in some beer and barbecue it's even better.  So, this weekend's Moo Brew and Que festival is the perfect combo.  Plus, the event welcomes 2 country music favorites to perform.

Moo Brew and Que Festival Dates and Location

The Moo Brew and Que Festival is a favorite among fans each year.  And, in case you're not familiar with it, here's what it's all about.  So, the annual Charlotte event takes  place each year with a line up of good grub and live music.  And, this year, it's happening April 12-14 at the AvidXchange Music Factory Festival grounds at 817 Hamilton Street.

Moo Brew and Que Festival Times, Parking and Ticket Info

As far as the schedule for the Moo Brew and Que Festival, gates open at 5 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  The website indicates limited parking will be available in the parking deck on the festival site.  However, organizers recommend using ride services such as Uber or Lyft due to space limitations.

All ages are welcome.  And, kids 10 and under get in free with a paying adult.  But, kids 11 and up need a ticket, which can be purchased on the website.  Single and 3 day passes at various levels are available.

And, this year, the Moo Brew and Que is raising money for Second Harvest Food Bank.  So, attendees can sample some amazing food and drink and help out a great cause at the same time.

Moo Brew and Que Festival Music and Food Lineup

Also, there's a huge line up of live music, including 2 of our favorite country artists.  Rodney Atkins takes the stage Sunday at 6:45, followed by Lee Brice at 8:30.  And, a full line up of all the acts planned for the weekend can be found on the festival site.

Then, there's the food.  The Moo Brew and Que site points to a 'mouthwatering array of local and regional BBQ delights.'  Plus, visitors have a chance to enjoy from a selection of more than 50 beers in addition to craft cocktails.

So, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy some beautiful weather and a great food and music festival.  For more info, visit the Moo Brew and Que website.

South Carolina Named One Of The 9 Best States For Music Festivals

Summer is festival season. And let's face it, when it comes to music festivals you either love or hate them. When you think of music festivals your first thought probably goes to Coachella. Other big ones include Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, or if you're a country fan Tortuga or Stagecoach. I've been to a couple of country festivals including one in South Carolina, so seeing SC on the best states for music festivals made sense to me. Music Festivals can mean long days in the heat, lots of money spent on food and drink, and perhaps the investment of hotel rooms. If you love music and being in an exciting atmosphere they can be well worth the money though.

Perhaps the best place for a festival to you is one nearby? Or maybe you're looking to plan a trip to one of the festivals named above. Bonnaroo was on my bucketlist for a while, but now the idea of sleeping outside and not showering for days just isn't that appealing. I'd still love to attend Tortuga right on the Florida beach. And rumors are swirling that my favorite artist Taylor Swift could be playing Coachella next year. So California may be in my future. So whether proximity, the vacation appeal, or the artists are what is drawing you to a festival. But what are the best places to attend a music festival?

Our friends over at AirportParkingReservations.com created the Ultimate Festival Guide and shared that guide with us. And as a part of that, they ranked the best (and worst) states to attend a festival. And South Carolina, well its one of the best states for music festivals. That's something to be proud of right? It's close to home. Plus festivals are great for the economy. Keep reading to see where they fell on this list.

1. Wisconsin

Number of Festivals: 16

Crime Reports (2021): 21,832

Average Rainfall: 34

Average Temperature: 43.1

Cost of Accommodations: 432

Cost of Smirnoff: 12.29

Total Ranking: 50.6

Wisconsin probably isn't the first place you think of when you think of music festivals. But perhaps you should! I was vaguely familiar with the fact there was a country music festival in Wisconsin but I couldn't have named it before a little research. But low crime, and lower-than-average temperatures are some of what led to the state's number one ranking. Some of the 16 festivals that take place in Wisconsin include Summerfest, Mile of Music, and Country Thunder Wisconsin.

2. Nevada

Number of Festivals: 14

Crime Reports (2021): 19,298

Average Rainfall: 10

Average Temperature: 49.9

Cost of Accommodations: 474

Cost of Smirnoff: 9.49

Total Ranking: 49.5

I'll be honest my first thought when I think of Nevada music festivals is one surrounded by tragedy. A tragedy I'm still trying to make sense of today. But despite that incident, Nevada still is a great place to catch a music festival. The state is home to 14 festivals including Life Is Beautiful, EDC Las Vegas, and Rock In Rio. One thing that makes a Nevada festival great? You're in the desert so there is a good chance you won't have to pack rain gear.

3. Georgia

Number of Festivals: 8

Crime Reports (2021): 46,865

Average Rainfall: 50

Average Temperature: 64

Cost of Accommodations: 372

Cost of Smirnoff: 8.99

Total Ranking: 48.8

I am shocked Georgia doesn't have more festivals. But even with only 8 and a higher-than-average crime number, they still ranked 3rd on this list. Low accommodations helped boost The Peach State in the rankings. (Though if you've ever tried to get a hotel room in downtown Atlanta when a concert is going on, I'd challenge that!). Festivals in Georgia include Midtown Music, Imagine Music Festival, and Shaky Knees Music Festival.

4. Mississippi

Number of Festivals: 2

Crime Reports (2021): 12,841

Average Rainfall: 56

Average Temperature: 63

Cost of Accommodations: 422

Cost of Smirnoff: 11.99

Total Ranking: 47.1

I guess math allows a state that only has 2 festivals to rank 4th. While it's not best for the accessibility of festivals, the ones they have are great to attend.

5. Kentucky

Number of Festivals: 6

Crime Reports (2021): 15,159

Average Rainfall: 47

Average Temperature: 56

Cost of Accommodations: 372

Cost of Smirnoff: 10.49

Total Ranking: 47.0

Kentucky festivals include Bourbon & Beyond, Louder Than Life, and ROMP. You'll find decently priced accommodations, low crime, and affordable drinks. Not a bad combination. Plus I'm sure you can get some great bourbon at all these festivals!

6. New Mexico

Number of Festivals: 2

Crime Reports (2021): 22,077

Average Rainfall: 14

Average Temperature: 53

Cost of Accommodations: 438

Cost of Smirnoff: 11.49

Total Ranking: 46.2

The desert location is what boasts New Mexico this high on the list. While it isn't home to many music festivals now, perhaps it should be. Any festival promoters out there reading this, here's your next festival location. They have a need and the weather. Just perhaps a spring or fall festival would be best!

7. Maryland

Number of Festivals: 12

Crime Reports (2021): 27,435

Average Rainfall: 44

Average Temperature: 54.2

Cost of Accommodations: 393

Cost of Smirnoff: 9.99

Total Ranking: 45.3

I've actually been to an outdoor concert in Maryland and it was very pleasant even in July. Festival producers love it, as Maryland is home to the Moonrise Festival, Hot August Music Festival, and Maryland Deathfest among others.

8. South Carolina

Number of Festivals: 4

Crime Reports (2021): 33,133

Average Rainfall: 48

Average Temperature: 62.4

Cost of Accommodations: 248

Cost of Smirnoff: 11.99

Total Ranking: 45

I've actually been to the Carolina Country Music Festival in Myrtle Beach numerous times. It's a fun time and a beachfront festival is the perfect way to experience live music. So seeing South Carolina on this list, well it wasn't a surprise to me.

9. Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - APRIL 16: Sam Hunt performs onstage during Tortuga Music Festival on April 16, 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

(Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)

Number of Festivals: 36

Crime Reports (2021): 86,907

Average Rainfall: 54

Average Temperature: 71

Cost of Accommodations: 546

Cost of Smirnoff: 10.99

Total Ranking: 45

With one of the largest number of music festivals, why is Florida ranked only 9th? High numbers of crime, rainfall, and the high cost of accommodations are mainly to blame. Florida is home to festivals such as Tortuga, Ulta, and the Gasparilla Music Festival.

Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.