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WHAT: Lonesome Acres Park Bluegrass Festival with Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Dixie Ryders, Kody Norris and the Watauga Mountain Boys, Vince Combs and the Shadetree Bluegrass and others
WHERE: Lonesome Acres Park, 7642 Lower Miamisburg Road, Miami Twp.
WHEN: 3 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6; 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 7-8.
COST: $15 Thursday, $25 Friday and Saturday; $60 for a three-day pass
MORE INFO: (937) 866-1225 or www.lonesomeacrespark.com
The Miami Valley has a long, respected bluegrass history, but like many fans, Glen Brogan of Miamisburg is concerned his beloved mountain music could fade away if it isn’t embraced by a new generation.
“This used to be bluegrass country right in here, ya know, back years ago,” Brogan said. “We’re just trying to keep it going. It seems like bluegrass is more for the older people, but we need to get the younger crowd interested in these festivals.”
Brogan, 77, decided in 2003 to use his 112-acre cattle farm as a spot to share his lifelong love of bluegrass music with the public and began steps to create the Lonesome Acres Park Bluegrass Festival.
“We just like bluegrass music,” said Brogan, who organizes the annual event and books the acts. “We had traveled to see concerts and festivals and we thought, ‘Gee whiz, let’s just bring it home and have it here.’ It’s been doing good. This will be our third year, and it seems like it doubles every year, so this year we’re hoping for big crowds.”
It took several years for Brogan to clear out a 10-acre area for a stage, audience seating and camping spots, but the space was completed in 2007 and he hasn’t looked back.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do for 10 years,” he said. “It took a lot of planning and a lot of work. It took five years just to clear out the trees and brush. We’ve got it pretty well like we want it now. August is a hot month anyway, and everybody that comes just loves it because it’s shady. It seems like there’s been a breeze back here at all times.
“We’ve added more electric and lights, but the stage and everything has stayed the same since that first year,” Brogan added. “We doubled the electric for the campers after the first year, and we’ve got plenty of primitive camping in the shady area.”
The third annual festival returns to Lonesome Acre Park, 7642 Lower Miamisburg Road, on Aug. 6-8. Performers include Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, Kody Norris and the Watauga Mountain Boys, Dixie Ryders and Vince Combs and the Shadetree Bluegrass.
“We’ve got a good lineup, with 13 bands,” Brogan said. “I hope everybody will have a good weekend and the weather cooperates with us. We’ve got plenty of room for everybody — just bring ’em on down.”
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