Bluegrass is a blend of country, gospel and blues music that is appropriate for all ages.
Taking place at University Station Motorcoach and RV Resort on May 28 through June 1, the 2014 Bluegrass on the Plains Festival will provide food, workshops and established bluegrass music with Ralph Stanley as the main entertainment.
Stanley has been playing bluegrass music for over 68 years.
Owners of the resort, Mathan and Jill Holt created the festival, which will be three years old this year.
"It was Mathan's bucket-list dream," Jill said when asked what inspired them to start the festival.
The couple wanted to share their love for the sounds that make up bluegrass.
This year's festival will offer a number of entertaining activities and attractions including workshops taught by musicians, arts and crafts, horse and carriage rides.
Food vendors at the event include Johnny Brusco's, The Flaming Squirrel, Smoothie King and Coffee To Go Go.
Even before the festival begins, entertainment, such as the Bluegrass Idol Competition will be provided for guests who arrive early at the resort.
According to Holt, up-and-coming bluegrass bands will perform in front of three judges, and the winners of the Bluegrass Idol Competition will open for Ralph Stanley.
Sweet Bonz Alabama BBQ is one of the many food vendors that will be present at the event, offering a number of Southern cuisine options, including breakfasts.
"We will be serving our famous smoked chicken halves, as well as baked beans and coleslaw," said Zane Allsup, owner of Sweet Bonz.
Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, The Issacs, Volume Five, the Bailey Mountain Cloggers will be performing.
People from all over will come to Bluegrass on the Plains.
"This year we will even have guests from Canada," Holt said.
Sharing the love for the bluegrass sound, W. A. Pate is a member of the bluegrass community who has been attending bluegrass festivals for 45 years.
Pate will also be attending Bluegrass on the Plains this year.
"It is so organized that I thought it had been going on for years," Pate said. "It's the best venue I have ever attended, top to bottom."
University Station Motorcoach and RV Resort is located approximately three miles from Jordan-Hare stadium and offers over 500 full-hookup lots, which have been filling up for the festival since Jan. 15, according to Holt.
Due to the family-oriented environment, variety of food and talented musicians, Bluegrass on the Plains received the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) 2013 Momentum Award.
The event is expected to draw an even bigger crowd this year than the previous 5,000 who attended the festival in the past.
Tickets for the event can be purchased by calling (334) 821-8968.
For more information visit BluegrassOnThePlains.com.
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