New North String Band

As the metaphorical sun sets on the summer, you might consider lawnstorming Lake Altoona County Park for WHYS Radio’s second annual Bluegrass Festival. The all-day fest will feature nine bands: Evergreen Grass Band, Eau Claire’s jam-influenced bluegrass group; New North String Band, with a recently-released debut LP; the wildly popular Easthill Bluegrass Band; and The Seeger Boys, featuring Nimblin’ Nick and his four children. There will also be bands coming down from Minnesota, such as Ivory Bridge, The Lincoln Boys, the Sans Souci Quartet, and Morgans Run. Sweetgrass comes all the way from Indiana! There is more to the festival than just the featured bands; there will be a fiddle contest, plenty of great food, recreation areas, and like-minded folks ready for informal jams. Bring an instrument out if you want to play!

Todd Adams, the festival’s key organizer, decided to organize another festival after last year’s spectacularly successful run. The festival was fun, appealed to a broad range of people, and raised funds for the volunteer-run community station. It’s probably the least expensive festival around right now (prices range from $10-$18), and parking is free with admission should you choose to drive in. However, head over to AltoonaOutdoors.org for bike routes, which is a great way to get to the festival. Buy tickets in advance at Altoona Family Restaurant, Acoustic Café, or Just Local Food.

WHYS Bluegrass Festival • August 22 • Lake Altoona County Park, Beach Road, Altoona • 11am-10pm • $10 individual in advance, $12 individual day of, $15 family in advance, $18 family day of • all ages • 831-WHYS • www.whysradio.org