The Kettle River Bluegrass Festival on June 26-28, 2009 is a three day event dedicated to the spirit of bluegrass music. The idea of old time acoustic string music resonating through the hills invokes visions of easier days, of relaxing in the shade of an old pine tree by the creek, pulling out the guitar and picking a favorite tune with your friends. That is what the Kettle River Bluegrass Festival is all about. Family and friends are invited to attend and participate in the second year of this great event at the Rock Cut Campground located 35 miles north of Colville on Highway 395. Rock Cut Campground has all the amenities one could ask for, lots of tent sites and RV's sites with hookups, clean bathrooms with showers, great homemade cooking at the concession stand and add the mountain views with riverside walks, you have a beautiful canvas to paint wonderful memories on.

This year the emphasis is on jamming. Combining some of the area's best professional bluegrass musicians with local pickers in various activities will assure a unique and spontaneous experience for all.

Friday starts with an open mic and tryouts for the evening talent show where bands compete for prizes including a first prize of $75. The top band also receives a booking for next year's Saturday stage show. Look for lots of jamming in the campground after hours. To pre register for the talent contest or Gospel open mic email Mark at markharding@centurytel.net

Saturday morning (late) the band scramble begins take form. While sipping on their coffee folks scratch names on a slip of paper and throw them in the hat, and then groups are selected with careful attention so that all the musicians are evenly distributed with others they've never played with. The groups come up with band names and song selections, and after a practice, they perform to the audience who decides who the best bands are. Finish off the day with a concert of some of the Inland Northwest's premier Bluegrass bands for a day to remember. Bands include Molly & Tenbrooks, the Engell Family, Kettle Creek, Pistol Packin' Mamas, and Stony River to name a few.

Sunday the festival wraps up with a Gospel show and open mic with bands performing their favorite Gospel tunes.

Please take the time to give a call to Bill Holmes for information about tickets and camping sites at (509)738-2350 or email him at btholmes@wildblue.net. Ticket price $15. Camping fees are extra. RV sites $30 per night, two person occupancy & tent camping is $10 per person per night. NO DOGS ALLOWED.

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