Bluegrass at Fairgrounds tonight and Saturday

Friday, May 16, 2008

The first "Old Time Bluegrass Festival" is scheduled to being today through Saturday with some of the nation's top talent.

The two-day event, at the Dyer County Fairgrounds, begins at 5 p.m. today. Saturday gates open at 9 a.m., with stage performances slated to start at 10 a.m.

Grand Ole Opry star and comedian Mike Snider of Gleason will headline the free concert at 7 p.m. Saturday with his old-time string band.

Mike began playing old-time banjo at age 16, after hearing a Flatt & Scruggs album. In short order he became the Tennessee State Bluegrass Banjo Champion, then won the Mid-South Banjo Playing Contest. At age 23, he found himself the National Bluegrass Banjo Champion.

Admission is free to the festival, which is sponsored by the Jackson Area Plectral Society.

Arts and crafts will also be offered.

Bands Cane Ridge, Cara-Anne and the Minstrels, Cypress Creek, the Front Porch Pickers, Hee Haw Honeys, Jargon, Possum River, River Bottom Gang, River Road, Southern Streamline and Sweetwater are planned to perform.

A fish fry is planned from 4-7 p.m. Saturday. Antique tractors are cars are also planned as part of the festivities.

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Three snaps in a full circle for the people who put this event together and for the performers who are donating their time and talents to preserve some of our unique cultural heritage.

-- Posted by A Citizen on Sat, May 17, 2008, at 8:45 AM

The Jackson Area Plectral Society is a non-profit club dedicated to preserving Old Time String Band music which meets and "jams" each Thurs. evening. They have two festivals each year and give two scholarships to young students of acoustic instruments. The Dyer County Fairgrounds is the perfect place for the spring festival and the city, county, and Chamber of Commerce support is great! Here's hoping that this festival will grow each year!

-- Posted by Joe Nathan on Sat, May 17, 2008, at 8:09 AM

Saturday bands start at 10 am. A new band will perform every 35 minutes. Great food all day with a fish fry at 4 pm. Fun and games for the kids starting at 2 pm. Chain saw art. Antique car and tractor show. Unique arts and craft vendors. 7 PM will be a free concert featuring Mike Snyder( Hee Haw, comedian, Opry Star) Bring your lawn chair.

A special thank you to Mr. Rimel and the State Gazzette for their coverage of this community event.

-- Posted by dyersburg2008 on Fri, May 16, 2008, at 11:24 PM

i was wondering what was going on out there earlier tonight then i saw the sign at exxon that said, 'welcome mike snider'

i thought twisted sister was in town, but thats dee not mike

-- Posted by jeramy on Fri, May 16, 2008, at 10:06 PM

Thanks to all who had a part in organizing this for the people of Dyersburg. I know many of you spent countless hours of time and several dollars of your own money to make this happen. You are to be commended for doing this for us.

-- Posted by Dybgtaxpayer on Fri, May 16, 2008, at 12:27 PM

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