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Bluegrass and Barbecue festival hits Richmond this weekend
, News reporter
08-22-2008
If you love barbecue and bluegrass music, you’ll want to be at the Ray County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Aug. 23 for the Second Annual BBQ and Bluegrass Festival.
The morning starts early for those participating in the Third Annual Poverty Walk. Approximately 30 walkers will leave at 7:45 a.m. from the Richmond First Church of God at 606 S. Camden and walk to the fairgrounds, according to Susan Hunter of the Missouri Valley Community Action Agency. She said there are even some Head Start children taking part. A rally will be held on the main stage at 9 a.m. with speakers representing the state and county.
While the walk is winding down, things will be gearing up for the bluegrass festival. There will be two stages. The main stage will be in the arena and will feature nine bands. The former Little Miss Missouri, Nattie Dunn, will perform. A smaller stage will be set up in one of the show sheds where eight smaller groups and individuals will perform from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rob Kinnard will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The bands will be selling their CDs for those who wish to purchase them.
Local musicians will want to bring their instruments and participate too. A jam etiquette workshop by Martha Hale will be held on the second stage at 9 a.m.
At 11:30 a.m. two-time international mandolin champion Bruce Graybill will be on stage 2 to present one of his popular mandolin workshops. His workshops are very popular and the MVCAA is pleased that he wanted to participate in the festival and has donated his time to do so.
Many participatory opportunities await musicians, budding musicians and music lovers. Jubilee of Acoustic Music, a non-profit organization, will have a booth set up to promote acoustical music. If you ever wanted to try your hand at playing a hammered dulcimer, mandolin, fiddle or other instruments, this is the place to be! For more information, visit their web site at www.jubileeofacousticmusic.org.
Another non-profit organization, Folk Jam (www.folkjam.org), is coming from Shawnee, Kan., and will help with the ongoing jam sessions throughout the day. Look for the tent near the campgrounds, bring your bluegrass instrument, attend the jam etiquette workshop and mandolin workshop and come and play! It is expected that the jam sessions may extend throughout the evening, as they often do.
The children will enjoy spending some time at the Pahlo Art Gallery, coming from Marshall, Mo. MVCAA Planning Team member Rita Schaefer lined up all of the entertainment with help from local musician Bob Moses. She wanted to be sure the children are introduced to music, have opportunities to try some instruments with their parent’s supervision, and have a lot of fun. The Pahlo Art Gallery has a variety of things planned.
The Richmond chapter of FFA Boosters will provide the barbeque and concessions, overseen by Rick Bersano.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Missouri Town Band will provide music for the Contra Dancing portion of the event. Shaeffer said, “Everyone participates in this. There will be people there to teach the steps. The caller will take them through step-by-step and then they will practice and do it faster.” This is sure to be a fun experience.
There will be grandstand seating at both stages, however, festival attendees are encouraged to bring their own chair it they wish to.
Tickets may be purchased at the gate for a $10 donation per person, or a $25 donation for a family with up to four children, ages 14 and under. All donations will go to the Missouri Valley Community Action Agency, a Ray County organization located at 42455 Business Highway 10, whose goal is to assist needy families and individuals in Richmond and surrounding communities.
