Bluegrass back at Sedalia

By Liz Barry

Published: June 25, 2008

The campsites are already forming at Sedalia, an arts center north of Bedford, for the 12th annual Bluegrass at Sedalia festival, which kicks off tonight.

The three-day festival, which has in past years drawn thousands of concert-goers, features more than 10 bluegrass bands from all over Virginia.

The event kicks offs at 6 p.m. with a concert featuring the Bluegrass Brothers, a high-energy traditional bluegrass band, and five other acts. The music continues from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday with Carolina Sonshine, a quartet that plays bluegrass-style gospel music, along with six other bands.

Saturday brings more than 12 hours of music, with Black Bear Express kicking off the day at 9:30 a.m. and Mark Templeton and Pocket Change rounding out the night at 10. Crowd favorites the Deer Creek Boys will be returning this year, playing two times during the day.

Other acts include Against the Grain, FaithRidge, Hard Drivin’ Grass, Johnathan Dillon and Phantom Grass, Ken Scoggins and Miller’s Creek, Mark Templeton and Pocket Change, McCabe Express #2, Plain & Simple, Smith Mountain Grass, and Ted Jones and the Tarheel Boys.

“One of the things I am so proud of for Sedalia, for this part of Virginia, it’s something different right in your backyard,” said marketing director Randee Beckman.

Food concessions will be open for the festival. Lawn chairs are recommended; No coolers or pets allowed.

Admission costs $10 Thursday or Friday, $20 for Saturday and $35 for a three-day pass. Camping with electrical hook up is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call (434) 299-5080 or visit http://www.sedaliacenter.org.