The 14th annual version of the Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Free Bluegrass Festival is cracked up to be more than just your daddy's bluegrass pickin' and grinnin'.
Chamber Executive Director Mark Keith said Friday that this year's edition of the day-long tribute to what is not only an American musical tradition, but also a deeply-ingrained Arkansas musical style, will feature Grammy-nominated artists the Kenny and Amanda Smith Band.
Doin's and pickin' begins at 1 p.m. at the BancorpSouth Stage in Hope Fair Park. Keith said the Fair Park Community Center will be used if the weather fails to cooperate.
“This has become more than just your typical hay bales and fiddles bluegrass festival,” Keith said.
He said the Chamber event has evolved into a musical destination within the Four States area, drawing regular fans of the genre from Dallas, Texas, to Booneville, Ar., and points beyond.
“When we started this, we tried to go with some of the first generation artists,” Keith said. “Now, we're working with some of the up and coming younger people such as Kenny and Amanda Smith.”
The duo, who record with their band for Rebel Records, is from Virginia, but is now based in Nashville, Tenn., he said.
“They are from really deep bluegrass country,” Keith said.
While the duo will be the featured act this year, the festival promises homegrown and area favorites in return engagements, he said, including the Hempstead County Melody Boys, the regionally-popular Hartley family from Arkadelphia, and High Mountain Grass from Magnolia.
“We will start at 1:30 p.m., and all four groups will play a set; then, we'll have a supper break from 4 to 6 p.m., and we start again in the same order,” Keith said.
He said refreshments will be available, and admission to the festival is free. Performances conclude at 9 p.m.
“We'll grill burgers and all that; but, we want folks to come to our community,” Keith said. “It's rare that you have a free bluegrass festival these days.”
