After an alarmingly overcast Saturday morning, bright afternoon sunshine flooded San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz, and the 23rd annual “May - Bluegrass Month” celebration roared to life around the Duck Pond Stage. Mike McKinley, Elicia Burton and crew brought six great bands to the Bluegrass Fair show and the appreciative audience brought an uplifting springtime bluegrass spirit to the lawn. Everyone seems excited about planning their tour of the summer season festivals throughout California. The oldest NCBS/SCBS event is still one of the best.

OK, I don’t want to go out on a limb here, but I say we do it again next year!

(Photo: Mike Russell)

Date & Time: Saturday, May 30, Noon-5:00pm.

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

Cost: FREE.
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Remember the rescheduled Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair is happening this Saturday, May 30th in San Lorenzo Park. In Santa Cruz, two rainy Saturdays in the month of May is almost unheard of, and sure enough the weather forecast for Saturday looks like great bluegrass weather.

The show is hosted by Harmony Grits and also features The Down Beets, Page Brownton and Sidetrack, and Common Cents. The latest addition to the lineup is the Mineral Kings, a brand new band formed by Paul Lee and Billy Moore.

There will also be a raffle featuring Strawberry Music Festival Fall tickets and a guitar donated by Sylvan Music, along with other tickets and other prizes. A new feature this year will be a beer garden. Dana Thorin Enterprises will sell musician supplies for all the pickers at the Fair. The vendors of the Santa Cruz Saturday Market will also be on hand. Sound is by Bill Rains, while MC duties will be handled by Leigh Hill.

The fair runs from noon to 5 PM and is, as always, free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and in the spirit of Bluegrass Music Month, bring a friend who isn’t a bluegrass fan…yet.

The Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair has been re-scheduled for Saturday May 30th after a rain delay from May 2nd.  It will run from Noon to 5:00 PM.  The FREE fair, which is in its 24th year, is held in San Lorenzo Park at the Duck Island Theater, and is presented by the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society.

The music will feature Harmony Grits (host band), The Down Beets, The Mineral Kings, Page Brownton and Sidetrack, and Common Cents.

There will also be a raffle featuring Strawberry Music Festival Fall tickets and a guitar donated by Sylvan Music, along with other tickets and doo-dads.  A new feature this year will be a beer garden.  Sound is by Bill Rains, while MC duties will be handled by Leigh Hill.

The annual Bluegrass Fair is among the oldest celebrations of May – Bluegrass Music Month, as designated by the International Bluegrass Music Association.

People who love bluegrass are encouraged to share this free opportunity with their friends. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the Bluegrass Fair. This is a kid-friendly event.  The Saturday Market will be right next door during the Fair.

Information: (Mike McKinley) mike (at) harmonygrits (dot) com, NCBS/SCBS Bluegrass Fair Coordinator, Phone: (831) 459-0908.

On May 2, we had “ducky” weather at the Duck Pond (that is the polite way to put it). Now, it is time for a reset:

The 23rd Annual Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2009, Noon-5:00pm. It is still FREE. It is still FUN! And our hard-working “Weather Committee” says they have confirmed a perfect late spring day at the Duck Pond Stage in San Lorenzo Park, next to the Courthouse in downtown Santa Cruz. Ya’ll come on down, ya hear!

Bands will include: Harmony Grits, Page Brownton & Sidetrack, The Down Beets and more. We have just about got all the details worked out and will announce them here soon.