Organizers hope fans, weather play MusicFest tune

Molly Kate Cherryholmes plays the fiddle with the rest of the family at last year's Wartrace MusicFest. (T-G File Photo by William Mitchell) [Order this photo]

"It looks like we're going to be blessed with beautiful weather," he said.

A good turnout will mean great results for Wartrace. The funds raised by various booths and vendors go a long way with city projects, such as the Kids Zone, which raises money for the Wartrace Relay for Life team.

Economic hit

The economy, said Gallagher, has hit the festival, too.

"We lost a lot of advertisers this year," he said. "And some sponsors dropped out."

But that hasn't kept the town from planning for the best, even adding some new features.

"The Jammin' Tent is new," said Gallagher. "We will put up a tent in the back of the field for people who just want to play -- shade tree pickin,' they call it. That will go on all night, so after the shows are over, everyone can go there and play or just listen."

There won't be a guitar contest this year, but there will be a clinic, led by flat-picking guitar champion Steve Kaufman, who will also perform at 7 p.m. both tonight and Saturday.

Popular act returns

This year's Saturday night headliner is the same group that headed the lineup on Friday last year, Cherryholmes.

"They just got a tremendous reception last year," said Gallagher. "Their star is rising rapidly in the music world."

A family act, he said, Cherryholmes played "very tight and very professional." In fact, on the Monday after last year's festival, he was already booking them for this year.

Today includes another up and coming family band, the Doerfels, who will also perform Saturday. With an average age of 15, the group features country, gospel and bluegrass with a touch of blues, jazz, swing and classical music. Both Cherryholmes and the Doerfels have won rave reviews for their shows and musicianship.

Other acts tonight include Zack Kerber and Steve Gallagher; Steve Kaufman; Angelica Grim; The Creek; and Tom Brantley and Friends.

On Saturday, Cherryholmes will be joined by Angelica Grim; the Doerfel Family; Jim and Inge Wood; Richard Starkey; Jon and Garon and friends; The Creek and Steve Kaufman.

Depending on how many of the "and friends" there are, close to 40 musicians could be taking the stage this weekend.

More than music

Music isn't all the MusicFest has to offer, either. There will be craft vendors, offering everything from kids' glow sticks to sterling silver jewelry. Handmade clothing and accessories, primitive birdhouses, dolls and knives are only a few of the things the craft booths will be offering.

The KidsZone will have games and craft activities. There will be small fee for some of the activities, but many are free, including an art center where the children can color.

"It's a family event," said Gallagher. "We want to provide something for the children to do while their parents are watching the show."

There will also be concessions, as well as the beans and cornbread dinner tonight. Everything from steak sandwiches to funnel cakes, and hamburgers to cotton candy will be available at the vendor booths.

The craft fair opens at 2 p.m. today and the music begins with an open mic session at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5. Children under 12 are admitted free.

The music starts up at noon on Saturday, which is also when Gallagher Guitars will be having an open house. Tickets for Saturday's performance are $10 each.

For more information, visit http://www.wartracemusicfest.org or contact Wartrace Town Hall at 389-6144

MusicFest is cosponsored by Gallagher Guitars, First Community Bank, Doug & Linda Howard and the Walking Horse Hotel. The event is presented by the Town of Wartrace and the Wartrace Chamber of Commerce.

If you go

* What: The Wartrace Musicfest

* When: Friday, 2 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon- 10 p.m.

* Where: The Wartrace Horse Show grounds

* Cost: Friday, $5; Saturday, $10