Ochlocknee
Georgia
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Picker's Paradise Park
History :
The history dates back 20 yrs. when Max Tillman began to have large outings, inviting hundreds of people he had met over the years to come and have a two day picking. Max has played music since he was a small boy. While he was in the army, he traveled all over the world meeting many people that he played music with. Over the years many people around the world have come to befriend Max and now, traveling here from as far as Germany and Australia, they come to play the sweet sounds of bluegrass.
Many of the people he met were influenced by him so greatly that some have taken up residence in this country to play the music they have grown to love. Max has several kids, all bluegrass pickers, but it was his son Pat who shared his love to one day start a festival. Sometimes they play together on stage, and sometimes with different groups. Sometimes they disagree about things, and sometimes they would share in some spirits. With this said, in 2002, under a pole barn on the Tillman property, the first Pickin' Park was born.
Anyone and everyone the Tillmans knew were invited to come and pick or just listen. In order to accomodate the pickers and listeners, 125 camper hookups were added, a new stage built with an old-time look and feel, and the old pole barn became a 75 foot covered seating area with a PA system and a full kitchen. Plans are in the works for additional improvements making the festival a more complete event.
The name, Pickers Paradise Park, derived from the early days when parking lot pickers were the main attraction. The surrounding area is home to many bluegrass bands and fans alike. Given these factors, along with the great relationships formed between the Tillmans and local bands such as South GA. Grass, Cypress Creek, and the Bottom Dollar Boys, it only seemed right to offer everyone a piece of the fun.
Still today, parking lot pickers are a major element of the festival. Many talents, of all ages, form jam sessions throughout the park. Just about all hours of the day and into the night, you can stop and listen to at least a handful of jam sessions at any time, throughout the park.
The history dates back 20 yrs. when Max Tillman began to have large outings, inviting hundreds of people he had met over the years to come and have a two day picking. Max has played music since he was a small boy. While he was in the army, he traveled all over the world meeting many people that he played music with. Over the years many people around the world have come to befriend Max and now, traveling here from as far as Germany and Australia, they come to play the sweet sounds of bluegrass.
Many of the people he met were influenced by him so greatly that some have taken up residence in this country to play the music they have grown to love. Max has several kids, all bluegrass pickers, but it was his son Pat who shared his love to one day start a festival. Sometimes they play together on stage, and sometimes with different groups. Sometimes they disagree about things, and sometimes they would share in some spirits. With this said, in 2002, under a pole barn on the Tillman property, the first Pickin' Park was born.
Anyone and everyone the Tillmans knew were invited to come and pick or just listen. In order to accomodate the pickers and listeners, 125 camper hookups were added, a new stage built with an old-time look and feel, and the old pole barn became a 75 foot covered seating area with a PA system and a full kitchen. Plans are in the works for additional improvements making the festival a more complete event.
The name, Pickers Paradise Park, derived from the early days when parking lot pickers were the main attraction. The surrounding area is home to many bluegrass bands and fans alike. Given these factors, along with the great relationships formed between the Tillmans and local bands such as South GA. Grass, Cypress Creek, and the Bottom Dollar Boys, it only seemed right to offer everyone a piece of the fun.
Still today, parking lot pickers are a major element of the festival. Many talents, of all ages, form jam sessions throughout the park. Just about all hours of the day and into the night, you can stop and listen to at least a handful of jam sessions at any time, throughout the park.