Hospital foundation to host annual bluegrass fundraiser

The Martins bluegrass band performs during the 2011 Bluegrass and Barbecue event at the Fulton State Hospital. This year's event is to be held from noon until 6 p.m. on Sept. 9.
The Martins bluegrass band performs during the 2011 Bluegrass and Barbecue event at the Fulton State Hospital. This year's event is to be held from noon until 6 p.m. on Sept. 9.

With local singer and news anchor Carissa Biele at the helm as emcee, organizers are hoping the Fulton State Hospital Foundation's 6th Annual Bluegrass and BBQ event from noon until 6 p.m. on Sept. 9 will continue to be a successful fundraiser for the organization.

Foundation board member Susan Groves said Bluegrass and Barbecue always draws a crowd.

"People are putting it on their calendars now," Groves said. "It's the least expensive bluegrass festival around, you get to hear five bands, plus the food has always been very good."

Board President Tom Harris said he has never particularly enjoyed bluegrass, but after attending for the first time two years ago he changed his opinion of the genre.

"I have not ever listed bluegrass as a favorite, but ... to hear those bands play live is amazing," Harris said. "It's a blast. These are people that travel all over, and they are entertainers.

"For five bucks it's really a great afternoon of entertainment."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.