Music fans in Alabama can see music history on display in Huntsville this weekend.
The 13th annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival is taking place tonight and tomorrow at Lowe Mill in Huntsville. Cigar box guitars are simple instruments, usually with just one or two strings, that use a cigar box as its body. The instruments have a long tradition among blues music and jug bands, especially in the South.
This weekend’s festival will also have an art market, food trucks, and a workshop where you can make your own cigar box guitar alongside craftsmen at Lowe Mill.
Sarah Cole is the media director for Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment. She says this festival has a wide reach.
“People travel all from the Southeast – nationwide – to come to this event. People are really passionate about their cigar box guitar festival here. This is a free event, it’s completely family-friendly, and it’s just a good opportunity for people to come out and experience a wide range of art and music and culture.”
The Cigar Box Guitar Festival runs tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. and tomorrow from noon to 9. The event is free, but a donation for parking is encouraged.