Another full slate this year as organizers hope to keep adding more for event-goers, Festival is Aug. 9 & 10
Coming off last summer’s listing as a Top 20 Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Council, Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival officials and organizers hope to build on that momentum and attract even more event-goers.
This year marks the 38th for the festival. Happening Aug. 9 and 10 in Audubon Mill Park. it is the oldest of any of Henderson’s music festivals and “possibly the oldest ongoing free bluegrass festival in the United States,” according to its website.
Monica Hargis, an organizer and board member, said though there are many activities and artisans and groups that will be present at the festival, the highlight is always the music.
Mark Hargis, her husband who is chair and in charge of booking the music, agrees, saying, “I think it’s going to be a really good lineup this year.”
Mark Hargis is also a part of local bluegrass band, Kings Highway, which he calls the “house band” for Bluegrass in the Park. He said many local folks want to come out to see the local band, but he also emphasized how good the musicians coming in from the rest of the country are. Kings Highway plays 5 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday.
Mark Hargis mentioned The Little Roy and Lizzy Show on stage 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday. “Little Roy is probably one of the best banjo players out there,” Mark Hargis said.
He also said for festival-goers to be on the lookout for Tennessee Borderline and Nu-Blue.
Both The Little Roy and Lizzy Show and Tennessee Borderline play traditional bluegrass, while Nu-Blue, as the name indicates, plays more of the newgrass style. All, Mark Hargis said, are good.
He also plugged another band that he and son, Zeb, lead. Love Sick Blues plays a lot of old-time country in the vein of Hank Williams, Sr. This band will play 8 p.m. Friday and will also play at On Deck Bar and Grill on Thursday evening as a kickoff to the festival.
Mark Hargis said he hopes and maybe expects a bigger attendance than last year, when he estimates 2,000-3,000 people populated Audubon Mill Park. He said Kings Highway plays more than 80 shows per year and he plugs the festival at each. Additionally, other bands playing at the local bluegrass festival mention it at their shows throughout the year.
“I think it’s going to be a big one,” he said.
BGIP offers more than music
Though the music has been the focus for the 38 years of the festival’s existence, Bluegrass in the Park offers more. It also highlights folklife, as indicated in the festival’s complete name.
Monica Hargis sent a list of the folklife exhibits. Here’s a partial list with descriptions:
• The Kentucky Wheelmen. The state Division of National Nonprofit Organization of Cycling will be doing demonstrations and storytelling of the heritage of American cycling and promoting the restoration of bicycles prior to 1918.
• A rag doll exhibit. Rag dolls were made as early as 1630 with scraps of fabric and other available materials. Children will be instructed in making their own doll to take home with them.
• The Ohio Valley Art League, with the assistance of Tracy Sturgil and Tabitha Taylor, will help children paint a bluegrass mural.
• Audubon Bee Keepers Association President Larry Stone will discuss beekeeping, the importance of Pollination and the extraction of honey.
• Art the Dude, sponsored by Hohner Harmonicas and Henderson Parks department, will present a children’s harmonica workshop on Saturday at noon.
• Harold Dilback will be discussing the process of turning segmented and solid wood bowls on the lathe. He will share some of his beautiful craftmanship showing his final product.
• Owensboro Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Educational Director Randy Lanham has loaned the festival the use of a guitar, banjo, fiddle and mandolin to allow people to play. “So the kids can actually play,” Monica Hargis said.
• Embroidering, crocheting and tatting will be actively going on to show the art of needlework. Examples of potholders, doilies, hot pad and more will be displayed.
• Janet Burke will be displaying the craft of hand quilting. Quilts will be displayed that she has made.
• Spinning wheel with Charisse Witte Tellman. Witte Tellman will be spinning fiber into thread or yarn that can be used for weaving, knitting or embroidering.
• Crime Stoppers and Henderson County Public Library will also be at the festival.
Artisans will also be there to sell their wares
In addition to the music and the hands-on learning activities, artisans will set up tents and booths to show off and sell their products. There will be vendors selling children’s clothing, handmade earrings, wooden décor, baskets, oils, soaps, stationery, dot paintings, terrariums and plants, odor-eliminating pet care, candles, embroidery, sand-blasted mugs and a whole lot more.
There’s a lot to do for a festival that organizers say is growing.
Monica Hargis said this year’s festival has five platinum sponsors, more than its had in recent years. She also said a host of younger people have joined committees to put on this year’s fest. Mark Hargis hopes for an additional 1,000 or 2,000 more festival goers over last year’s total. And Monica Hargis said there might be the possibility of lengthening the festival.
“Eventually we’d love to grow to even do another day,” she said.
