Jam time in Rogersville
All levels of talent for annual bluegrass festival
By Kenda Williams
Serious musicians and instrument players of all levels of talent picked bluegrass tunes throughout the two and a half days of the festival.
Groups gathered in jam sessions under shade trees at Recreation Park on Alabama Highway 207 North.
John Mitchell, 11, of Ardmore, played the banjo as his father, Ricky Mitchell, and others took up other instruments.
"I like just about everything about the festival," Mitchell said. "You get to meet new people."
Marie Buntley, of Fayetteville, Tenn., was playing an upright bass, also in bluegrass style. She said she has visited the festival ever since it started in Rogersville, and it’s one of her favorite bluegrass festivals in the region.
"I like how there’s plenty of shade to play under," Buntley said. "We like jamming and just enjoy playing however you want to."
Musical acts also took to the festival’s main stage and had large crowds of onlookers.
Not everyone was a musician but enjoyed other festival features like the buck dancing contest and food or craft vendors.
"I just enjoy looking at the arts and crafts," said Doris Bates, of Limestone County. "It’s a nice day to be out."
Rogersville Chamber of Commerce President Gayle Littrell said she was pleased with the way the entire event had gone and reported that attendance was up quite a bit from years past.
"We’ve had really good music, and the weather has been perfect," she said.
