Bluegrass musicians and fans will gather later this month for a celebration of song at the Summerland Bluegrass Festival at the rodeo grounds.
The festival begins on Friday, June 10 at noon and continues through Sunday, June 12.
Ron Horner, one of the festival committee members, said the festival is expected to draw between 400 and 500 musicians and audience members. The festival is the first of many bluegrass festivals held across the province each summer.
Many of those attending will also form impromptu groups to perform a few songs.
He said the atmosphere at the festival is positive, with performers of all ages and all talent levels working together.
“Whether you’re young or old, it doesn’t really matter,” he said. “We just get together and help each other out.”
He said the organizers would like to encourage young players to attend and perform.
He said groups taking to the stage will have 12 minutes to perform three songs. As long as two of the three songs are old country songs or bluegrass and as long as the music is made with guitars and banjos, without amplifiers, performers will be welcomed, he said.
In addition, on Saturday at 8 p.m., the Chris Stevens Family Band from Salmon Arm will perform.
Horner said Summerlanders will turn out to attend the festival. A regional group of musicians will meet in Peachland on the third Saturday of the month from September to May.