Annual George, Washington Bluegrass Festival on horizon
From left, the members of North Country Bluegrass are Stephen Burwell, Nick Dumas, Kent Powell, Norm Olsen and Will McSeveney. They will take center stage at the George, Washington Bluegrass Festival on Saturday, Sept. 16.
GEORGE - The annual George, Washington Bluegrass Festival, which grows in popularity every year, will be held the week of Sept. 10-16 in the park.
The seven-day festival will take up nearly all of the George Community Park with music sites and vendor booths. There will be Bluegrass jamming throughout the park every day and scheduled band appearances on stage.
All of the music is free to the public. The public is invited to set up tents, camping trailers or motor homes right along with the musicians. And the public is invited to join the jam sessions.
The big day will be Saturday, with seven different bands on stage from 1-8:30 p.m. There is no official headliner, but the most notable band, North Country Bluegrass, will strike up at 7:00.
Another notable band, Molly & Tenbrooks, will take center stage at 7:40 p.m. on Friday. Saturday will include workshops on mandolin, harmonica, bass, guitar, banjo and harmony vocals.
In addition to food vendors in the park, there will be community breakfasts and dinners during the weekend. These are prepared in the George Community Hall kitchen by the George, Washington Georgettes, and all proceeds go to that organization.
Festival Schedule
Monday - Sept 10
Early Bird Camping starts at noon. Dry Camping Only.
Tuesday - Sept 11
Bluegrass jamming in the park all day.
7 p.m. - Hi & Howdy Ice Cream Social at the Community Hall Kitchen.
Wednesday - Sept 12
Bluegrass jamming in the park all day.
Thursday - Sept 13
Bluegrass jamming in the park all day.
6 p.m. Potluck & Dutch Oven Sampler at the Pavilion.
7:30 p.m. Kids Jam downstairs at the GCH.
Friday - Sept 14
2 p.m. - Open Mic on stage.
3 p.m. - Gear Jammers on stage.
4 p.m. George, WA Bluegrass Festival Organizers on stage.
5 p.m. - Grassville Band on stage.
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Potato Feed at the GCH kitchen.
6:30 p.m. Hank Cramer on stage.
7:40 p.m. Molly & Tenbrooks outdoor stage.
8:30 p.m. Kids Jam downstairs at the GCH.
Saturday - Sept 15
7-10 a.m. Pancake Breakfast at the GCH kitchen.
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Farmer's Market at Pie Pavilion.
Open Mic all morning.
10 a.m. - Upstairs at the GCH: Mandolin Workshop - instructor TBA.
Downstairs at the GCH: Harmony Vocals Workshop by Steve & Jane McMahon
On the GCH front porch: Harmonica Workshop - instructor TBA
Slow Jam at Ron Gear's Pickin' Tent
11 a.m. Upstairs at the GCH: Guitar Workshop - instructor TBA.
Downstairs at the GCH: Bass Workshop taught by tba.
Ron Gear's Pickin' Tent: Banjo Workshop - instructor TBA.
Noon - Gear Jammers on stage.
1 p.m. - Stray Dogs on stage.
2 p.m. - Better Day on stage.
3 p.m. - Wanigan on stage.
4 p.m. - Mission Mountain Duo on stage.
5 p.m. - Workshop Participant Performance on stage.
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Taco Salad at the GCH kitchen.
6 p.m. - Pickled Okra on stage.
7 p.m. - North Country Bluegrass on stage.
8:30 p.m. Kids Jam downstairs at the GCH
Sunday - Sept 16
7-10 a.m. Breakfast at the GCH kitchen.
8:30 a.m. Bread of Life Cowboy Church followed by Open Mic Bluegrass Gospel Jam.
Noonish - Farewell Potluck Barbecue.