Tickets still available for Oct. 13 Ranger Bluegrass Festival

by LaJuan Tallo, assistant director of Communications/Public Information

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SENATOBIA, MS (09/20/2018) Tickets are still available for the upcoming Northwest Ranger Bluegrass Festival presented by Gateway Tire.

The festival will be held at the Northwest Farm on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. The event is a one-day music festival featuring nationally-recognized, award-winning bluegrass bands and artists. The primary goal of this event is to raise funds for scholarships to benefit Northwest students, while sharing an appreciation of bluegrass music and culture.

Slated to appear at the festival are Mike Compton and Joe Newberry, Missy Raines and the New Hip, Barefoot Movement, Alice Hasen and Andy Ratliff.

According to Angie Stuart, festival activities and volunteer coordinator, the festival is great low-cost entertainment for both local residents and those visiting from other areas.

"In addition to the musical acts, we will have over 50 local merchandise and food vendors, an incredible children's area, and many other activities planned on the festival grounds. We want the public to not only enjoy the day but also want to show outsiders this is a 'new era' at Northwest, and we look forward to once again focusing on our communities," Stuart said.

In addition to those appearing onstage, there will also be opportunities for amateur musicians to perform during a Bluegrass Competition held at the festival. "We will have 16 spots available and the top three will compete to win a new Deering Banjo," Stuart said. She stated that there are rules to the competition and anyone who is interested can contact her or Len Lawhon, festival chairman, to sign up ahead of time. Musicians can also sign up the day of the festival, Stuart said.

"The grounds of our Northwest Farm and Arena are a perfect space for 'parking lot pickers' to meet and play. This time-honored bluegrass tradition of 'Bluegrass jamming' is a great way for both bluegrass musicians and music fans to meet and share songs, sing, request tunes or just listen. Groups may sign up or just show up and claim one of the dozen or so choice spots to spend the day with friends and neighbors," said Lawhon.

The "Bread and Jam" tent will also be available for anyone who wants to come and perform and for patrons to eat lunch or just take a break, Stuart added. "We want to show our musicians and those traveling from far away some of our Senatobia Southern hospitality and support them coming to our small town," Stuart said.

Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com. Advance tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for children/students (ages 6-17) and Northwest students (unless they are volunteers) and $30 for a family pass.

To contact Stuart, call 662-562.3494 or emails astuart@northwestms.eduor Lawhon, call 662.560.5236 or email llawhon@northwestms.edu.

For more information about the festival, visit our event page at the Northwest Rangers Facebook page or www.rangerbluegrassfestival.com.