The Fulton State Hospital Foundation's ninth annual Bluegrass & BBQ Festival will be held at a new location in Fulton this Sunday, with new performers added to the event's entertainment lineup, according to hospital foundation board member Susan Groves.
Groves said the festival will be set up on Hearnes Drive off Route O, and will feature a new band and two additional performers. The Purdy River Band, a group with four musicians, is traveling from out of town. Groves said three band members traveled from Minnesota and one is coming from Iowa, and the group is ecstatic to perform.
"They've called me for two years wanting to come down," Groves said. "The (band) leader used to live in Missouri and saw that the festival was so wonderful, and he wanted to bring his band down. I said, "Well, sure.' He went to check it out from Iowa and liked the venue."
Groves added that the Purdy River Band be performing at noon.
"Prior to noon, the girl from St. Louis (Scarla Boyd) will play some fiddle tunes," Groves said. "She played last year. John Fisher will accompany her. Charlie Jackson, minister of Guiding Light Church, told me about her and introduced us. She'll have a guitar player with her."
She added, "It'll be good exposure and good practice for her. Maybe someday she'll be in the bluegrass group."
Other bluegrass groups scheduled to perform are the Martin Family, Callaway Bluegrass, Wild Wood Boys and Summit Grass.
Besides a music lineup that will entertain bluegrass enthusiasts, the festival will also feature fresh kettle corn from Alan and Jan Finke.
"Alan and Jan Finke have come for nine years," Groves said. "They come to all the festivals in Fulton. They keep coming because they're good people."
Besides the Finke's kettle corn, the First Christian Church will serve barbecue and homemade pies.
"They've come for the last three or four years," Groves said. "We like them a lot because they provide a full meal - meat and desert."
According to the event's flier, drinks will be available for purchase, no alcohol or coolers will be permitted and raffle prizes will be available.
The grand sponsor of this year's bluegrass and food-filled event is Dollar General. Groves said Dollar General will have a booth at the festival because "they're always looking for workers."
"We were so pleased they decided to be a grand sponsor," Groves said.
Groves also mentioned the community's involvement in organizing the event.
"It's a nice community involvement because a lot our sponsors and businesses are in the program," she said. "A huge list of people gave raffle items, people come from all around. I've gotten calls from people that live in surrounding areas, maybe an hour and a half away, to know where it is and what time (it starts)."
The festival will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, rain or shine.