Bean Creek at the Duckpond. (Photos: Bruce Carlson)

The 28th Annual Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair on May 4th was big fun on a day when the sun, alas, did not some out to play.

The fair is both the longest-running Society event and the oldest outdoor concert series in Santa Cruz.

Homefire plays the Bluegrass Fair.

Thanks to the Northern California Bluegrass Society/Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society volunteers who made it all happen: Mike McKinley, Daniella Irish Allen, Michael Hall, Pan Logan, Bruce Bellochio, Bruce Edmundson, Mike Fisher, Bruce Carlson, Jack Kykendall, Leigh Hill, Lora Hicks. Thanks to soundman Bill Rains and all the bands for a fine performance.

The Earl White Stringband brings the oldtime music.

Thanks to our sponsors: Sylvan Music, Strawberry Music Festivals, Bluegrass Music Society of the Central Coast, SFJAZZ, Sempervirens Fund, Brookdale Bluegrass, Riverdance Farms, Gryphon Stringed Instruments.

Thanks to the City Of Santa Cruz and the California Non-Profit Insurance Alliance And thanks to everyone who came out to help kick off the 2013 bluegrass summer season! We appreciate your support!

Found At The Fair: Women’s reading glasses with red square frames. Contact (Michael Hall) hallmw (at) gmail (dot) com to claim.

The Harmony Grits band has hosted the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair each year since 1986.

Rite Of Spring: Come  to the FREE Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair – the beloved annual spring gathering for bluegrass folks presented by your Northern California Bluegrass Society/Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society!

Date & Time: Saturday, May 4, Noon-5:00pm.

Place: Duck Pond Stage, San Lorenzo Park, 134 Dakota Avenue, next to the courthouse in Santa Cruz.

Cost: FREE.

Fun: Yes!

Weather: Perfect! Warm & Sunny. High 74, Low 50.

Band Schedule:

Food & Drink: Available for purchase or bring your own. No alcohol, please.

Dogs: No.

Smoking: No.

Bring: Blanket or chairs for lawn seating.

Parking: On street, in downtown garages, or at the left side of the courthouse.

Raffle: Yes. Tons of tickets to upcoming summer bluegrass events and other great prizes.

Information: The NCBS Booth will have complete information about the upcoming bluegrass festival season.

Duck Pond Stage, San Lorenzo Park, Santa Cruz

Directions: From Highway 17, continue on Ocean Street into Santa Cruz, past Water Street, then right into the Santa Cruz County Courthouse parking lot, to left of building, park and walk to Duck Pond Stage behind the Lawn Bowling Courts.

Alternate: Park on the streets surrounding the park.

Alternate: Park in downtown Santa Cruz and cross the pedestrian bridge into the park.

And remember — All of your friends will be there!

The FREE NCBS/SCBS Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair will feature four great bluegrass bands Noon-5:00pm this Saturday, May 4, 2013 at the Duck Pond Stage in San Lorenzo Park, 134 Dakota Avenue, Santa Cruz.

We will honor the memory of Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs.

The City Of Santa Cruz has rules and the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society follows them:

No Dogs.

No Alcohol.

No Smoking.

Steve Palazzo Of Homefire

Adrienne Davis & Earl White Of The Earl White Band

The Harmony Grits

The NCBS/SCBS Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair is THIS SATURDAY, May 4. FREE. Ya’ll come!

The 28th Annual Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair will return to the Duck Pond Stage in San Lorenzo Park this Saturday afternoon, May 4, 2013.

The Noon-5:00pm show is FREE. Bring a chair or blanket for lawn seating.

Bands: Bean Creek, Earl White Band, Harmony Grits and Homefire.

There will be a raffle with tickets to the season’s bluegrass festivals and other events, plus other great prizes. Food and drink will be available.

Bring your friends to enjoy this rite of spring with you! No smoking. Please do not bring dogs or alcohol.

The event has been presented each May since 1986 and is the oldest presentation of the Northern California Bluegrass Society/Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society.

Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair sun & fun returns on Saturday, May 4!