43rd Annual Labor Day Bluegrass Festival Schedule

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

GRAPELAND – It’s that time of the year again when Grapeland becomes the bluegrass capital of the world! It’s time for the 43rd Annual Bluegrass Festival at Salmon Lake Park and this year’s lineup is packed with some of the best bluegrass musicians in the country.

“This year’s lineup is super,” event manager/promoter Collee Biller-Littlefield said. “We have two major headliners in The Grascals and The Malpass Brothers.  The Grascals will be on Friday and The Malpass Brothers will be on Saturday. Each one has two shows 0 in the afternoon and one in the evening.”

The two headliners are surrounded by wonderful bands from Texas and Georgia, Biller-Littlefield said.

“This creates an opportunity for people to go and see them again if they like what they hear. They play all around the state. I’m doing it a little different this time. We’re bringing in these two big bands from Nashville and from North Carolina,” she said.

The promoter said the forecast called for cooler weather “… even if it’s just five degrees cooler. We’re praying for a cold spell, but I’ll be handing out hand fans to everyone who comes in. All you need to do is bring your lawn chairs and get something cool to drink and they should be set. We have lots of shade down by the stage area and we usually have a nice breeze.”

A four day pass is $70 with daily fees of $15 for Thursday, $25 for Friday, $25 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday.

The festivities actually kick off on Wednesday, Aug. 28 with a pot luck dinner held at the Salmon Lake Pavilion beginning at 6:00 p.m. The musicians take center stage the next evening as the entertainers kick things off for a weekend chock full of music and merriment.

The schedule for the event is as follows:     

Thursday, Aug. 29: 6:00 pm Opening Ceremonies with the GrassBurs; 6:30 – Edgar Laudermilk Band; 7:15 – Jeff Robertson and Friends; 8:00 – Pet Rooster; 8:45 – **SURPRISE BAND**

Friday, Aug.30: 1:00 pm – Edgar Laudermilk Band; 1:45 – Jeff Robertson and Friends; 2:30 – Pet Rooster; 3:15 – Lonestar Bluegrass Band; 4:00 – The Grascals; 4:45 – 6:30 pm – Supper Break and Open Stage; 6:30 – Edgar Laudermilk Band; 7:15 – Jeff Robertson and Friends; 8:00 – Pet Rooster; 8:45 – Lonestar Bluegrass Band; and 9:30 – The Grascals

Saturday, Aug. 31: 1:00 – The Marksmen; 1:45 – Southern Style; 2:30 – Sabine River Bend Band; 3:15 – Pine Island Station; 4:00 – The Malpass Brothers; 4:45 – 6:30 pm – Supper Break and Open Stage; 6:30 The Marksmen; 7:15 – Southern Style; 8:00 – Sabine River Bend Band; 8:45 Pine Island Station; and 9:30 – The Malpass Brothers.

 Sunday, Sept. 1: 11:00 am – Devotional; 1:00 pm – The Marksmen; 1:45 – Southern Style; 2:30 – Sabine River Bend Band; and 3:15 Pine Island Station.

For more information, please visit www.txbluegrassmusic.com

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].              

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