Let the music play

P.E.I. Bluegrass and Old Time Music Society celebrate 30th anniversary festival at Rollo Bay

Bluegrass fever rolled out of the hills and hollows of Appalachia and into Prince Edward Island 30 years ago.

This American music found a home on the east coast of Canada and the P.E.I. Bluegrass and Old Time Music Society and festival was born.

2015 brings the 30th anniversary festival to be celebrated July 3 - 5 in the quaint community of Rollo Bay in Prince Edward Island.

The field festival players will go on the open mic stage Thursday at 7 p.m.

The main stage show starts at noon on Friday, July 3 and will continue through until Sunday afternoon with off-stage jamming happening around the clock.

The family festival includes a children’s program on Friday and Saturday 3-5 p.m., a song writer’s circle and instrument workshops for banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass on Saturday.

From it’s humble beginnings the festival has grown to be one of the eastern Canada’s muchloved events, bringing in the finest US bands and combining them with the best from the island and Maritime region, a news release states.

“Who would have thought that 30 years later this music would have such roots here in P.E.I.? This festival draws people from the US, Canada and around the world with some visiting from as far away as New Zealand.”

Lonesome River Band, Clay Hess Band and Ned Crisp and Bottomline are the U.S. headline acts this year, along with bluegrass friends from New Brunswick, Bluegrass Diamonds, Spinney Brothers and Bluegrass Tradition from Nova Scotia.

There are also nine P.E.I. favourites including Janet McGarry, Dylan Ferguson and East Bound, Bluegrass Revival, Blue Zone, Two + Three, SK Bluegrass, Just Grass, Wheatley River Band and Dunromin.

“Join us and camp on-site for the weekend or come for the day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”

For more details check the website at: http://peibluegrass. tripod.com or phone 902-5694501 or 902-566-2641.