"Awesome week" predicted for George Bluegrass Festival
From left, the members of the Moses Willey Band are Michael Lee Hicks, Simon Way, Skinner D. Smith and Don Saladin. They still don't know why they call themselves Moses Willey.
GEORGE - The community of George is anticipating an "awesome week" for its 8th annual George, Washington Bluegrass Festival on Sept. 15-21 in the George Community Hall (GCH) and Park.
"Folks who have come year after year tell us that this is their favorite small festival, and they believe that the George event is the perfect end to the summer festival season," GCH board member Debby Kooy said.
The festival will feature weekend stage performances by bands that typify the best of Pacific Northwest bluegrass. Included are the the Moses Willy Band, Slipshod, Pickled Okra, Down the Road, Kevin Pace and Early Edition, Mission Mountain, Blueberry Hill and The Weavils.
This is a free festival, free of admission charge. It doesn't cost anything to attend.
"We want to keep it that way, because we think that great live Americana should always be accessible for everybody," Kooy said.
However, the GCH board does not wish to run the festival on the backs of the bands that perform. Some of the above-mentioned bands still need sponsors.
If you or your business or group would like to sponsor a band at the George Washington Bluegrass Festival, please call event director Debby Kooy at 797-5632.
Donations may be addressed to: George Community Hall, P.O. Box 5064 George, WA 98824. The George Community Hall, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, oversees this Festival.
The early part of festival week features lessons, clinics and jam sessions. These lead up to Friday and Saturday stage presentations in the park and evening shows in the George Community Hall.
The Georgettes, a civic organization, will serve snacks and meals throughout the week.
There will be an ice cream social, a potluck, a potato feed, a taco salad feed and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning.
The festival attracts a large number of campers and motor homes, but there is always room for one more. Early bird camping will start at noon on Monday.