LOWER LAKE — The Old Time Bluegrass Festival is fast approaching. With the festival set for next weekend, music and art lovers still have time to get discounted advance tickets to the two day event.
The Old Time Bluegrass Festival, which benefits the education of local school children, will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14 at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park in Lower Lake. Gates open both days at 9:30 a.m.
Advance tickets, offered at a discount, are priced at $15 for Saturday and $10 for Sunday or $25 for both days. Tickets will be an additional $5 at the door.
“Advance tickets will be available until 4 p.m. Friday afternoon (Sept. 12) at several local merchants,” said Anna McAtee, ticket and marketing coordinator. Local sites include Marie”s Feed and Bob”s Vacuum in Clearlake; Moontide in Middletown; and The Bandbox in Lakeport. Tickets may also be purchased at chamber of commerce offices in Clearlake or Lakeport.
The Old Time Bluegrass Festival will feature day-long music amid an artisan faire of handcrafted goods. “We will be welcoming some wonderful artists and crafters from around Lake County and beyond,” said Ellen Lundquist, artist and vendor coordinator. “Sheila O”Hara, who is a world renowned weaver, and Rosalee Littrell, who is local spinner, will be showing their beautiful creations and demonstrating their talents. Sheep Thrills will also be demonstrating the art of weaving from the porch of the old ranch house.”
Several gourd artists will also be showing their work including Rebecca Stark, Sherry Harris and Lu Holdener. Holdener also makes baskets using pine needles, Lundquist reported and Harris will joined in her booth by her son Diego, who specializes in carved walking sticks and molds original candles.
“We have Cleburne and Fawn Williams joining our craft faire this year. They will be showing their creations in ornamental yard art,” Lundquist said. “They have a very interesting craft. They create various items for the yard as well as wall hangings in ornamental iron.”
Amanda Rollings will be offering handcrafted fairy jewelry and various fairy items for children and adults. “She makes beautiful beaded necklaces, earrings and bookmarks. Her work is just wonderful,” Lundquist said.
“Nancy Hunt is one of our local artists and she will have booth displaying her paintings and photographs, many of which depict Lake County”s scenic beauty,” Lundquist said, adding, “And we have a new artist joining us from Lakeport this year who creates some really interesting things.
Marcelee Magliulo makes candle holders out of old wine barrels and they are really intriguing creations.”
Sandy”s Rock Shop and the Lake County Rockhounds will be joining the festival as well. The Rockhounds will be showing children how to pan for gold.
Additionally, Lundquist said that David Pharr will be displaying his copper work; Donna Crawford will have unique purses and totes for sale; and Shawna Sullivan, who specializes in basket weaving, will also be joining the craft faire.
Along with the artisan faire more local talents will be displayed through the Art in the Barn exhibit. “There should be a wide variety of art to please all art enthusiasts,” said Doug Marble, Art in the Barn coordinator. Marble, who is an artist himself, will be displaying his wares in metal sculpture, painting and other mediums.
A few artists who will be on hand include local favorite Marybeth Alteneder. “In my opinion she is one of the best artists in Lake County,” Marble said.
Jimmie Osborne”s oil painting and water color creations will be on display as will Kevin Barnes” rock art. “He”s our local rocker,” said Marble, adding that Linda Fielding, Barbara Bloomquist and assortment of other artists will also be displaying in the barn.
Marble has also incorporated a new highlight into the festival. Poets in the Barn will welcome Lake County Poet Laureate Mary McMillian at noon on Saturday. Former Poet Laureate Sandra Wade, who will be joined by special guests, will be reading poetry for the crowd as well.
The Old Time Bluegrass Festival is sponsored by the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA), Children”s Museum of Art and Science (CMAS), Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and the County of Lake. All profits from the event go to AMIA to support educational programs at the marsh as well as toward the Discovery Center, a project spearheaded by AMIA and CMAS. Tickets may be purchased online at www.andersonmarsh.org or call 995-2658 for more information.
Contact Denise Rockenstein@drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
