Let the bluegrass begin

• The Riverbend Bluegrass Festival promises three evenings full of bluegrass music.

Ashley Hindsman

OCILLA — The April session of the Riverbend Bluegrass Festival will be held Thursday-Saturday just south of Ocilla off U.S. 129.

Now in its 21st year, co-owner of the festival Veniece Kennedy said the festival coordinators, performers and audience have become very close over the years.

“We all love the music and we’re all passionate about it,” she said. “It’s like being a big ol’ family that meets twice a year to get everybody together.”

Musical performers include Lou Reid and Carolina, Grasstowne, the Riverbend Bluegrass Band, the High Back Rockers, Skip Grounds and the Ramblers and the Chapmans, a family band performing at the festival for the first time.

Kennedy said with vendors selling merchandise and a restaurant within walking distance from the festival, this event has something for everyone.

“It’s very family oriented, lots of music and just a family-friendly place to be,” she said. “It’s the truest form of music in America, in my opinion.”

Tickets are $30 for three days or $10 for Thursday, $12 for Friday and $18 for Saturday. Visitors should bring lawn chairs.

For more information, call (229) 425-0805 or visit www.riverbendbluegrass.com.

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