GEORGE — The George Washington Bluegrass Festival aims to provide a joyful, relaxing time of making music and being with friends. The free festival begins Monday and continues through Sunday at George Community Hall, 403 W. Montmorency Blvd., Quincy. Terri Jones is camp host for the 15th annual event; Betty Lampinen is the emcee.
Bluegrass musicians can sign up for open mic performances, and there will be concerts of all types for fans of bluegrass to enjoy.
Monday is a day to arrive after noon and set up dry camping, or to check in at nearby hotels. Then attendees will start a soft opening with all-day jamming.
The bluegrass jam sessions continue on Tuesday until a 6 p.m. hot dog meet-and-greet dinner. Wednesday begins with a gospel pancake breakfast hosted by Darryl and Betty Lampinen, and in the afternoon there will be a tour of Debby Kooy’s nearby pottery studio.
By Thursday, there are open mics on the outdoor stage with sign-ups required. Ron Taylor will present a workshop for what to do between songs during performances. On Friday afternoon there will be concerts featuring Bertha & the Combinations, Rocky Ford Band, Roosevelt Road and Heartbreak Pass, plus more open mic sessions.
Saturday morning, from 10 a.m. to noon, begins the “Learn ‘n Share” sessions for banjo, bass, mandolin, guitar, dobro and fiddle players, which launches into another open mic. Later, some of the same bands return to the stage, plus Corral Creek and The Weavils.
Sunday morning features two gospel sets, one bluegrass and one by Corral Creek, both upstairs in the George Community Hall. A full schedule is online at georgecommunity hall.com.
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