Old-Time Country Music Fest inks five-year contract

The national Old Time Country & Bluegrass Music Festival and Convention, which was held for the first time this year in Le Mars, will return with a five-year run starting in August 2009.

Bob Everhart, president of the National Traditional Country Music Association, said the association picked up a five-year option with the Plymouth County Fair Board and have signed a contract with the board.

The dates for the 2009 festival are Aug. 31 to Sept. 6.

The 2008 festival was the 33rd annual event for the association, which was previously held at Council Bluffs, Avoca and most recently Missouri Valley.

In a letter to the Daily Sentinel, Everhart said the festival event received great support from the Le Mars community and surrounding area, citing families who offered home stays for participants, along with hospitality from the Chamber of Commerce, Floyd Valley Hospital, local and area motels, restaurants and many other businesses and individuals.

The Plymouth County Fairgrounds provided a venue of buildings, outdoor staging areas and room for campers for a number of participants and guests. Everhart said he appreciated the "incredible assistance" of Dave and Pat Lehner for their work at the fairgrounds.

In particular, he recognized Mike Mullally, of Le Mars, for his continual urging that the Everharts move the event to Le Mars. He said Mullally offered help throughout the event, including organizing the Red Cross fundraiser held the Saturday before the festival began.

Everhart indicated he hopes to do another charity show the Saturday before the 2009 festival begins.

He also noted Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff was a daily visitor to the fairgrounds each day of the festival.

The festival received a $6,000 grant from the Le Mars Hotel/Motel Sales Tax Advisory Board, which was used for advertising, including billboards in the area.

The seven-day event brings together hundreds of musicians and fans of old-time country and bluegrass music from not only Iowa and the United States but from around the world.

This year's festival included a number of participants from New Zealand, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Canada.

"All of our visitors returned home with an incredible positive experience from Le Mars," Everhart said.

According to the association's website, plans are underway for a Log Cabin Dulcimer Gathering at the log cabin at the west end of Pioneer Village at the fairgrounds.

"The front porch of the old log cabin, somewhat removed from the rest of the activities, provides an ideal quiet place for small gatherings of those who like to hear soft music from dulcimers, harps, harmonicas, and old-time folk artists," Everhart said on the association's website. "No sound system, just the front porch and you."