Bluegrass festival brings thousands

(Photo by Jodi Folkerts) Two musicians take a break after playing with other country and folk musicians. People from across the United States and beyond spent the week in Le Mars for the 34th Annual National Traditional Old Time Country, Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival. [Click to enlarge]

A week of gorgeous weather and good music brought about 25,000 people to the Plymouth County Fairgrounds last week, according to Bob Everhart.

Everhart is one of the coordinators of the National Traditional Old Time Country, Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival that was hosted for the second time at the fairgrounds in Le Mars this year.

"It was excellent," Everhart said Monday.

(Photo by Jodi Folkerts) Musicians of all ages gathered at jam sessions around the Plymouth County Fairgrounds to play some impromptu old time country and folk tunes throughout the weekend. One jam included about 20 people. [Click to enlarge]

The seven day festival ran from Monday, Aug. 31 until Sunday, Sept. 6, filling hotel rooms and the fairgrounds with about 260 RVs and campers.

The festival drew people of all ages from across the U.S. and around the globe, Everhart said.

"We had an exceptional number of young musicians this year, more than ever before," he said. "They came from all over the U.S. and some were stunningly talented."

(Photo by Jodi Folkerts) The saw isn't only a household tool, it's also an instrument, as this woman demonstrates during a jam session at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds for the music festival last week. The festival ended Sunday. [Click to enlarge]

One group, he said, involved high school students and younger who played the cello, violin and upright bass.

"It was awesome," Everhart said.

The group of Greek dancers from Budapest, Hungary, also enjoyed their stay in Le Mars, their first trip to the Midwest.

(Sentinel photo by Magdalene Landegent) Not all instruments look the same at the music festival last week. Here Fred Staats, of Colorado, plays the mandolin, Mike Wichers, of Vancouver, Wash., plays the guitar, Cosette "Cozy" Heman, of Canton, S.D., plays the washtub bass, and Marlin Wichers, of Orange City, plays the dobro. [Click to enlarge]

"They wanted to go to a rural area," Everhart said. "They were overwhelmed. They liked the treatment they got, they liked seeing what was in the grocery stores, and they liked visiting the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor."

Even though they only spoke a little English, he said, they felt very welcome in Le Mars.

The National Traditional Old Time Country, Bluegrass and Folk Music Festival will return to Le Mars next summer -- the organizers signed a five-year contract to use the fairgrounds. Everhart said this year was success.

"We had a wonderful time," he said.