July-August 2007

SUMMERGRASS

by dennis roger reed

Southern California has a lot of bluegrass fans, but not nearly enough great bluegrass festivals. The San Diego Bluegrass Society decided to do something to rectify that, and Summergrass will be celebrating their fifth year in 2007. The festival runs from Friday August 24 to Sunday August 26. This year's festival has a theme of "Saluting the Military" and the headlining stars include the US Navy's bluegrass band, Country Current. Also billed this year are Bluegrass Etc., Fragment, John Reischman & the Jaybirds, Lost Coast, the Brombies, Uglum & Sons, the BladeRunners, Lighthouse, Virtual Strangers and Soledad Mountain Band. As part of this year's theme honoring the folks in the military, there will be discount tickets to those in the armed forces.

Summergrass is a family themed event that takes place at the nostalgic Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista. Summergrass benefits from a very cool site, both from a temperature standpoint and also from an aesthetic one. Bluegrass music is family music, and this site offers a lot of choices for family activities. Summergrass has always highlighted special activities for the kids, and this year is no exception with a kid's music workshop taught by professional musicians. Summergrass also loves raffles, and this year you can hope for a full size Taylor guitar, a Deering Goodtime banjo or an Eastman mandolin.

Dry camping is available, or take advantage of special rates at local motels. There's plenty of great food on site, and a vendor's village. For advance tickets and pricing info, visit www.summergrass.net