50th Annual Bluegrass Festival set Oct. 22-24
Special to The Messenger
Salmon Lake Park will hold its 50th Annual Bluegrass Festival Oct. 22-24.
Headliner artists include Grand Ole Opry Star, “The Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, plus RFD TV Stars The Malpass Brothers. Also appearing are The Marksmen Quartet, Riley Gilbreath & Lone Star Blue, Karl Shiflett & Big Country, and more. A special presentation on Saturday will be Connie Salmon Norsworthy (daughter of founders Floyd & Fannie Salmon) with the Salmon Lake Park Reunion Band and will include some of the original members from the very first bluegrass festival held in 1976. The Festival Music starts Thursday at noon and runs through Saturday evening. Food trucks will be available on site. Coolers are welcome, however, no alcohol is permitted.
Folks that come to Salmon Lake Park come for several reasons in addition to the lineup. Camping and jamming are a big draw for the event and many folks come in a week early.
While the heart of the event will always be the concerts from Thursday-Saturday, the event kicks off Monday, with events every day, from food and fun to music lessons, creating not only an event, but a destination for bluegrass lovers from near and far.
The week leading up to the festival features a variety of activities, including open mic night, instrument workshops, bingo, devotionals, and more. In recent years, more young people have attended with their parents and grandparents. We focus on making the event family-friendly by including children in workshops, jam sessions, and stage shows.
Early-week activities are free, but attendees must have a music ticket to participate.
Tickets for the weekend are $80 plus tax. Individual day tickets are also available: Thursday only $30 / Friday only $35 / Saturday only $35 / Fri/Sat combo $65.
Children under 15 are admitted free with a parent or guardian.
RV and tent camping are available on site. Weekly camping discounts are available.
Several musical instruments and gift items will be raffled off to help raise money for the event. 50th Anniversary Caps, Shirts and other goodies will also be on sale.
We appreciate all our sponsors that help make this event possible – Cutshaw Chevrolet, Sonny Tunstall Real Estate, ETEX Tree Service, Shelby Savings Bank, Cowboy Church of Houston County, Sandjack Farms, Grapeland Chamber of Commerce, Palestine Transmission, Action Sound Hawkins, TX, SandmanRay Publishing, Kilgore Mercantile & Music, BCR Elevators, Dean Piano Service, Sweet Enloe Opry, Bella Gifts From The Heart, John 3:30 Ministries, Bluegrass Heritage Foundation.
If you would like to be a sponsor or a vendor, please email us [email protected].
For more information, contact Salmon Lake Park at (936) 687-2594 or visit www.salmonlakepark.com
