Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival promises food, fun, music

The 17th annual Laurel Highlands Bluegrass Festival will feature a weekend of traditional music, food, fun and camping.

A fundraiser for the Ligonier Township Volunteer Fire Department, Station 44, the festival will be held June 21-22 at the site along Route 271, Waterford, east of Ligonier.

Local, regional and national bluegrass performers will entertain both evenings.

June 21

• 6:00-6:50 p.m. and 8:30-9:20 p.m., Open Highway

• 6:50-7:40 p.m. and 9:20-10:10 p.m., Echo Valley

• 7:40-8:30 p.m. and 10:10-11 p.m., Big Country Bluegrass

June 22

• 1-1:50 p.m. and 6:50-7:40 p.m., Hickory Bottom Band

• 1:50-2:40 p.m. and 6:00-6:50 p.m., Allegheny Drifters

• 2:40-3:30 p.m. and 7:40-8:30 p.m., Larry Efaw and The Bluegrass Mountaineers

• 3:30-4:20 p.m. and 8:30-9:20 p.m., Williamson Branch

• 4:20-5:10 p.m. and 9:20-10:10 p.m., Special Consensus

• 5:10-6 p.m., Supper Break String Band

Guitar raffle, camping, workshops

Eastman Guitars has donated a dreadnought guitar for raffle.

According to event planners, plenty of open, level space is available for campers, motor homes and tents for a $5 donation per night. Camp spaces open on June 19 for those wanting to jam, socialize or explore nearby Laurel Highlands attractions.

Music workshops included with weekend or Saturday ticket include “Classic Bluegrass Banjo” with Greg Cahill and “Two Mandolins, No Waiting,” with Rick Ferris and Nick Duma. The crafts and vendors show runs noon-7 p.m. Saturday. CDs and T-shirts, including the firefighters’ “Fired Up for Bluegrass” T-shirts, will be sold.

Tickets range from $15 to $30. Kids under 10 are admitted free.

Details: 724-238-8646 or laurelhighlandsbluegrass.com