Take a step back into 1850s pop culture Thursday, April 18 through Saturday, April 21 as the Lee County Historical Society hosts its 5th annual Lee County Gathering Old-Time Music Festival in Pioneer Park in Loachapoka sponsored in part by the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
This three-day event will consist of a variety of old-time events for the public to partake in, including musical instruction, performances, open jam sessions, storytelling, period re-enactments, contra dancing and frontier-style cuisine.
Musical instruction is open to anyone who loves old-time music regardless of experience, but registration is required. Registration is not required to just attend the event.
"It's an old-time music festival, and old-time music is the precursor to bluegrass," said Janette Fransen, president of the Lee County Historical Society. "It's all acoustic instruments, so we will have mountain dulcimers, hammered dulcimers, mandolins, banjoes and a whole bunch of unusual instruments."
In addition to interactive musical entertainment, celebrity folk musician and mountain dulcimer player Joe Collins will perform at the festival.
"He just does a fabulous job of teaching people how to expand their musical ability," said Deborah McCord, chair of the Old-Time Music Festival at the Lee County Historical Society. "In addition to playing, he will also explain what the arrangement is about, who wrote it, which year it came about, and that just makes it real special. He will teach songs, but he will also teach technique and make your playing more refined."
Guest instructors and musicians will also perform at the festival,Vendors selling T-shirts, musical instruments, embroidery services and food will also be present at the festival.
According to McCord, this is an event all music lovers will enjoy regardless of their skill level.
"I absolutely guarantee that you will enjoy every minute of it," McCord said. "If you play any kind of instrument, even rhythm spoons, you can come out and join the jamming groups, so you don't have to take classes. If you just want to come and enjoy the concert, it's only $5 to get in for a concert, and they'll enjoy a beautiful night out under the stars while artists perform on the outdoor stage. There'll be something for everybody."
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