By MARK VOSBURGH
Another spring is here, and another Bluegrass festival season kicks off this Saturday.
In keeping with the theme of “old time” music the festival will be held at Montana’s oldest continuously running school, Lone Rock School near Stevensville, just 40 minutes from Missoula.
Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association (MRBA) vice president Mike Conroy says that the festival is the main fundraiser of the year for the all volunteer organization.
A $5 ticket buys you A LOT of great local traditional music. “We have a different band performing every 30 minutes starting at noon with Kids in Bluegrass and wrapping up with local favorite Pinegrass at 10pm. All of the bands donate their time, talent and travel to support the organization.” Expect all acoustic string band music played in the traditional style around a single microphone, much like early radio and stage music performances.
Home cooked food will be available all day. Artists will be selling CD’s and and MRBA will be offering memberships and selling hats, shirts, stickers and other merchandise. Expect lots of jamming and parking lot picking, so if you are “picker” be sure to bring your fiddle, guitar, mandolin or banjo! If you are grinner, just come and enjoy the music.
Money raised at the festival allows MRBA to sponsor an array of bluegrass concerts, jams, festivals, concerts and workshops for kid and adults throughout the year. MRBA is an active and healthy organization that has become the envy of the region.
Conroy, a long time fixture in the local bluegrass scenes says. “This association is in great shape‐‐ and we have never been more proud of it.”
What: Bluegrass Festival
When: Saturday April 13th, Noon – 10pm
Where: Lone Rock School 5.5 miles Northeast of Stevensville on the East Side highway then 3 Miles up 3 Mile Creek Road.
Cost: $5 or $3 for MRBA members.
For details: www.facebook.com/mtbluegrass
