Weather has cooperated in the past, and Cain is hoping this year will be sunny and temperate as well. "It's a great event for the town, part of the Main Street program," Cain says. "Anything we can do to bring people into the town of Stanford is a good thing, is a plus."
The Lincoln County Cattlemens Association will be cooking again this year, and other vendors will be selling food.
The Welcome Home Bluegrass Festival is free; attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. "It's a wonderful event, especially for the family," Cain says. "It's good, clean, family entertainment."
Information on the bands
Here's information about the bands playing at the Welcome Home Bluegrass Festival:
Just In Tyme was formed around 1997 and is made up of five artists from Lincoln County. The band is known for its background in traditional Bluegrass music.
The members are: Paul Rice, banjo, harmonies and lead vocals; Charles Fields, mandolin, harmonies and lead vocals; Tom Bentley, guitar, harmonies and lead vocals; Jerry Petrey, bass and lead vocals; and Vickie Petrey, lead vocals.
Eddy Hopkins and Son Blugrass Band features musicians from Lincoln County, Lancaster and McAfee. The band plays traditional Bluegrass music but likes to mix it up with modern Bluegrass. They also have a selection of "homegrown songs," many of which were written by Eddy Hopkins.
The members are: Eddy Hopkins, rhythm guitar and lead vocals; Adam Hopkins, mandolin and lead guitar; Greg Ives, five-string banjo; and Jeff Cain, upright bass.
Pickintime is a Lexington-based, homegrown Bluegrass group that performs a variety of Bluegrass music, including traditional favorites, Bluegrass gospel, and original works by group members. The group has a tight harmonic vocals that add to its unique sound.
The performers are: Pam Maynard, vocals and acoustic bass; Wes Maynard, vocals and guitar; and John Mattingly, vocals and banjo.
James Jones and The Bluegrass Travelers is a traditional Bluegrass group that has been playing together for a number of years. Jones has a number of recordings to his credit and has worked at festivals throughout the state. He has played with notables such as The Osborne Brothers and Ralph Stanley.
Although Donnie Rogers and Canoe Creek is newly formed, it quickly has earned a reputation as a hard-charging, crowd-pleasing, traditional Bluegrass group.
The members are: Donnie Rogers, guitar and vocals; Trent Roy, banjo and vocals; Chuck Schmiers, mandolin and vocals; Joey Ray, bass; and Phillip Crow, guitar and vocals.
