Published: August 28, 2008 01:38 am            

Salmon Lake Bluegrass Festival starts Thursday

GRAPELAND — The Houston County air will begin to fill with the sounds of old-time music as Floyd and Fannie Salmon kick off their 32st annual Bluegrass Festival tonight at Salmon Lake Park.

Over a dozen bands from Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, Virginia and Georgia are expected to play several times during the four-day festival, which runs from today through Sunday.

The shows begin at 7 p.m. today, 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. Visiting bands are invited to play on the stage from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. The sound system is by Mary Marshall of Nashville, Ark.

Scheduled to open the festival tonight are Vern Young of Missouri, and three Texas-based groups, the Gillette Brothers, Hickory Hill and Tradition.

Friday’s lineup includes Louisiana Grass (Mississippi), Randy Walker & the Country Gentlemen (Virginia), Bill Grant (Oklahoma), Salt Grass Band (Texas), Chinquapin Flat (Texas) and Grass Notes (Texas) as well as the Gillette Brothers, Hickory Hill and Vern Young.

Saturday’s entertainment features The Marksmen (Georgia), Tennessee Gentlemen (Tennessee), Shady Grove Ramblers (Texas), Louisiana Grass, Randy Walker & the Country Gentlemen, Bill Grant, Salt Grass Band and Grass Notes.

Wrapping up the festival on Sunday will be The Marksmen, Tennessee Gentlemen, Salt Grass Band, Tradition and Chinquapin Flat.

Tickets are $40 for a four-day pass, or $10 for Thursday, $10 for Friday, $15 for Saturday and $10 for Sunday. Children under 12 are admitted free with their parents or guardians.

Cost for camping is $15 per day for a 30-amp electric hookup or $17 per day for a 50-amp electric hookup. Rough camping is $10 per vehicle for three days.

The park is located at 357 Salmon Lake Rd., approximately 3 miles from downtown Grapeland. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited.

For more information, call 936-687-2594 or visit the park’s Web site at www.salmonlakepark.com.

————

Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.