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current press releases
April 18, 2008
Contact Person: Jed Malischke, 715-635-2479, jed@minnesotabluegrass.org
Capsule
Event: Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival
Dates: August 7-10, 2008
Location: El Rancho Mañana, 27302B Ranch Rd, Richmond MN (20 mi W of St.
Cloud, I-94 exit #153 at Avon, 9 mi S on Cty 9, L on Mañana Rd)
Public Contact Information: 800-635-3037, www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org
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The 29th annual MINNESOTA BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME MUSIC FESTIVAL
features more than twenty professionally regional and nationally touring performing groups
This four day music and camping festival at El Rancho Mañana Campground in Stearns County is presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association (MBOTMA) and is unique in its presentation of quality music and entertainment on a variety of stages and activity areas. Nominated for a second time in 2007 as Event of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville, it features more than twenty professionally regional and nationally touring performing groups. Scheduled to appear on August 7th through 10th 2008 are Mountain Heart, Grasstowne, Fiddle Player of the Year Michael Cleveland & The Flamekeeper Band, Mike Seeger, The Dirk Powell Band, Cadillac Sky, Balfa Toujours, The Stairwell Sisters, Monroe Crossing, Ivory Bridge, the Race For A Place champions Sawtooth Bluegrass Band, Bill & Kate Isles, The DitchLilies, Poor Benny, Morgans Run, Bag O’Dirt Band, Brennen Leigh, and The Roe Family Singers.
There will be over thirty hours of concerts on the Main Stage with an evening show on Thursday, afternoon and evening shows both Friday and Saturday, and an afternoon show on Sunday preceded by a morning gospel show. The Showcase Tent features daytime instrument demonstrations and specialty shows on Friday through Sunday, plus nightly dances Thursday through Saturday. Over twenty hands-on workshops will be scheduled in the Workshop Area starting Friday morning and running through Sunday. The Family Area will be filled with music, contests, crafts and games starting Friday. And there is always good food, a variety of merchant booths, and more entertainment in the Marketplace. It will all start off with a pig roast dinner on Thursday starting at 5:00 PM. Main stage show times are 6PM to 11PM Thursday, 11AM to 11PM Friday, 11AM to 11PM Saturday, and 10AM to 5PM Sunday.
In addition to the many bands scheduled, a large portion of the 5,000 plus people that attend are amateur musicians. They will bring their instruments and join in the many impromptu jam sessions that go on day and night in the campgrounds. El Rancho Mañana provides a wonderful setting for the festival. The volunteers of MBOTMA have constructed a beautiful permanent stage facility which boasts intact tree support beams harvested from the grounds. The seating area is shaded with the natural vegetation of the area and is surrounded by lovely ponds. The gently rolling hills hide the numerous camping sites. Everything is conveniently connected by a dependable shuttle system and masked with a carnival type atmosphere. Everyone is friendly. You can attend for just a day or stay and camp for the weekend. Advance tickets are a bargain and prices range from $19 for any single day to $72 for all four days including camping. This is a family friendly event - teenagers age 13 to 19 are only $10 for the weekend and children age 12 and under are free. You can get a full brochure mailed to you by calling 800-635-3037, or visit www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org.
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