Ashe County native Cindy Baucom will serve as emcee for the Ola Belle Reed Festival in Lansing Aug.10-11.
Cindy’s “Knee-Deep in Bluegrass” is broadcast in almost 100 markets each week. Earlier this year she was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame.
Cindy credits her early love for bluegrass to her father, Jim Brooks, who played banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin and built stringed instruments. As a teenager she performed in a band with her dad and went on to work in other regional bands, singing and playing bass and guitar. She feels fortunate to have been presented the opportunities to promote the music she has loved all her life.
Cindy’s enthusiasm for the festival is rooted in her love of mountain music, Ashe County and an early association with Ola Belle Reed.
“I always love coming back to Ashe County, especially to the Lansing area where my father was raised,” Cindy said. “And to participate in an event dedicated to the music of Ola Belle Reed, with whom my father played and I met as a child, is truly an honor.”
The Ola Belle Reed Festival featuring old time, bluegrass, and Americana music, will be held at the Lansing Creeper Trail Park. Returning from last year are The Harris Brothers, Big Country Bluegrass, Elkville String Band with Wayne Henderson, The Sheets Family Band, and Back Porch Bluegrass. New bands scheduled include The Great Smoky Mountain Bluegrass Band, Time Sawyer, and Jason Harrod. Sheets Family Band will be present two workshops; Old Time Dance and Mountain Harmony. Jason Harrod will present a guitar workshop. Judy Marti is returning to present the Clawhammer Banjo Workshop for the seventh year.
Lansing Creeper Trail Park is located behind the Lansing Volunteer Fire Department and will offer much needed shade for festival guests, swings for children, walking trail, primitive tent camping, Big Horse Creek for wading, and pedestrian access to downtown Lansing shopping and eating.
Local arts and crafts vendors interested in the festival should call 336-977-1320 for more information. Lansing Volunteer Fire Department will be selling barbeque chicken, hotdogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and more.
Suggested donation for admission is $3 on Friday and $5 on Saturday. The festival is a fundraiser for Greater Lansing Area Development 501 (c) 3 non-profit, whose projects include Lansing Tech Community Learning Center, Lansing Creeper Trail Park, and the promotions of the Greater Lansing Area.
Festival hours are 5-9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10;, and 12-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13. Pickers, jammers and music lovers are encouraged to picnic and play on Sunday, Aug. 12 under the purple tent. Bring chairs and wraps for chilly evenings.
For more information, visit the website www.olabellefest.com, call 336-977-1320 or email lansing28643@gmail.com.
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