Gospel Bluegrass Festival Begins this Week
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
GRAPELAND – It’s that time of the year once again. Before long, the city of Grapeland’s population will begin to swell as countless RV’s, fifth wheels and camping trailers roll into Grapeland for the 22nd Annual Floyd Salmon Memorial Day Weekend Gospel Bluegrass Festival kicks off.
The festival is set to begin on Thursday, May 23 at Salmon Lake Park with a host of new performers and returning regulars. The festivities actually start on Wednesday, May 22 with a pot luck dinner held at the Salmon Lake Pavilion at 6 pm.
The official opening ceremonies set to begin at 6 pm. on Thursday, May 23. Once the opening ceremonies conclude, the musicians take center stage with East Mountain kicking things off for a weekend chock full of music and merriment.
The Master of Ceremonies for the event will be Mike Powell while Scott T. Armstrong serves as the Stage Manager.
The musicians and bands tentatively scheduled to perform at the event are: David Davis and the Warrior River Boys; Christian Davis; The Farm Hands; Robertson County Line; Catahoula Drive; The Family Sowell; The Marksmen; Williamson Branch; East Mountain; Tin Top Road; and Vintage Sounds.
A four day pass is $65 at the gate while daily fees are $15 for Thursday, $20 for Friday, $25 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday. Children under 15 are free when escorted by their parents.
“Everybody needs to come out! The weather is going to be fine. We have some great entertainment. Festival Manager and Promoter Collee Biller-Littlefield said.
“We have people coming in from Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Missouri, Louisiana and they are all great musicians. The weather should be fine and we have plenty of food vendors. The park is looking really good, even though it was beat up with hail. The new owners (David and Leah Powers) have done a great job of taking care of it and getting it all together,” she said.
Biller-Littlefield added the entertainment is always different from year-to-year and now they have a new and improved sound system.
Below is the current lineup as of May 21
Thursday, May 23
- 6:00 – Opening Ceremonies
- 6:30 – East Mountain
- 7:15 – Christian Davis
- 8:00 – Vintage Sounds
- 8:45 – Tin Top Road
- 9:30 – Robertson County Line
Friday, May 24
- 1:00 – The farm Hands East Mountain
- 1:45 – East Mountain
- 2:30 – Christian Davis
- 3:15 – Tin Top Road
- 4:00 – The Farm Hands
- 4:45 – 6:00 p.m. – Supper Break and Open Stage
- 6:00 – The Farm Hands
- 6:45 – East Mountain
- 7:30 – The Baker Family
- 8:15 – Christian Davis
- 9:00 – The Family Sowell
- 9:45 – Robertson County Line
Saturday, May 25
- 1:00 David Davis & the WRB
- 1:45 The Marksmen
- 2:30 The Baker Family
- 3:15 Williamson Branch
- 4:00 Catahoula Drive
- 4:45 – 6:00 p.m. Supper Break
- 6:00 David Davis & the WRB
- 6:45 The Marksmen
- 7:30 The Baker Family
- 8:15 Williamson Branch
- 9:00 Catahoula Drive
- 9:45 The Farm Hands
Sunday, Sept. 4
- 11:00 am – Devotional
- 1:00 – The Marksmen
- 1:45 – The Baker Family
- 2:30 – Williamson Branch
- 3:15 – Catahoula Drive
- 4:00 – Robertson County Line
*Line-up subject to change
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
