‘World’s Longest-Running’ Cigar Box Guitar festival returns for 21st year

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‘World’s Longest-Running’ Cigar Box Guitar festival returns for 21st year

 

by: Maggie Matteson - Posted: Apr 11, 2025 / 02:29 PM CDT

Updated: Apr 11, 2025 / 02:29 PM CDT    

‘World’s Longest-Running’ Cigar Box Guitar festival returns for 21st year © Provided by WHNT-TV Huntsville

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – One annual music festival is returning to Huntsville to raise money for the Microwave Dave Education Foundation.

The World’s Longest-Running Cigar Box Guitar Festival will return for its 21st year beginning May 30. Special guests include Grammy-winner Gary Nichols and the FAME Gang.
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All proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Microwave Dave Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on integrating music with learning.

“Music is not only enriching for the soul, it’s beneficial to the brain, so I am pleased to organize this event to benefit music education to youngsters in our community,” says Tara Mello, event producer and co-owner of The Cigar Box Guitar Store. “With Huntsville’s role as a music city, the Foundation’s programs focusing on our youngest residents will help foster a music community for decades to come.”

The festival begins Friday, May 30, with a casino night held in the AVIQ showroom. There will be food, a silent auction and plenty of music during that event. Tickets cost $50 and are limited.

The next day, various studios at Lowe Mill will host free festival activities, including seminars on building your very own cigar box guitar. Solo musicians will be playing at Kar’s Char Texas BBQ.

On Saturday evening, Saturn Jive Dance Space will host swing dancing with April Mae & the June Bugs. Tickets cost $15 and are limited.

The Grand Finale of the festival will take place Sunday, June 1, at the Orion Ampitheater.

Several free activities will be available before that finale from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Festival-goers will find kids’ activities, cigar box guitar jam sessions and meet ups, as well as local vendors and food trucks.

Organizers say that Miss Calliope will host some hands-on activities and music focusing on themes of the environment and recycling. Microwave Dave will also be engaging with the kids and teaching them about the history of blues. Children will be able to play recycled instruments they made.

Gates will reopen for the finale beginning at 5:30 p.m. Local vendors, buskers and food trucks will be available before a concert featuring Grammy-winner Gary Nichols and the legendary FAME Gang. There will also be a few surprise special guests. Tickets are $15 and all the proceeds will directly benefit the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation.

“Supporting local businesses like The Cigar Box Guitar Store and non-profits like the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation is not only meaningful—it’s essential. Their work inspires the next generation of musicians and artists, and we’re proud to help amplify that mission in any way we can,” says Alex Craig, General Manager of The Orion Amphitheater.

Tickets to all events – casino night, swing dance night and the finale concert- can be purchased online.

Source: https://whnt.com/soundbites/worlds-longest-running-cigar-box-guitar-festival-returns-for-21st-year/