Burton's Bend Festival lineup announced

HOLBROOK, Nebraska -- Jazz, bluegrass, gospel, country music and much more will emanate from the stage at the third annual Burton's Bend Music Festival, scheduled for Aug. 10 and 11, at the Central Plains Development Center in Holbrook.

Festival director Christine Whipple from Arapahoe indicates that the range of genres this year is even wider than previous years, "but the thing that always stays the same is the "fun factor," said Whipple. "The event is two full days absolutely stuffed with music in many forms and for all ages!"

Activities begin each day at 10:30 a.m. and continue through until about 10 p.m., with breaks for lunch and supper. Spectators can show up at any time and not miss out on the wonderful music, according to festival producer Mary Schutz, who also produces the Miles of Memories Country MusicFest each September in Hastings, Nebraska.

Performers from the Southwest Nebraska area will join entertainers from other areas of Nebraska, plus Texas and Oklahoma to create a colorful cast of talented singers and musicians for this year's event.

Concerts, learning sessions, theme shows and opry shows are presented throughout the two-day festival. Friday night's special activity is "A Gospel Music Gathering" and features country gospel tunes, bluegrass gospel songs, traditional "hymnal" gospel songs, southern gospel music and even cowboy gospel tunes. "The Burton's Bend Barndance," a reenactment of an old-time radio show, highlights the Saturday evening offerings.

Admission to the Burton's Bend Music Festival" is $20 for a two-day pass and $11 for a one-day pass. Youngsters under 12 years of age are admitted free with a parent or grandparent.

Young performers who would like to participate in either of the two "Young Entertainers' Showcases" should call Christine Whipple at 308-962-7555 to schedule their time.

Hearing-impaired spectators who would like to attend should call ahead so the directors can arrange for a sign-language interpretor. Large-print programs for visually-impaired persons will be available upon request at the ticket booth.

The Festival is presented by the Central Plains Foundation with support from the Nebraska Arts Council, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Furnas County Visitors' Committee and the Village of Holbrook. Additional funding is provided by ATC Communications, Hunt Nebraska, First State Bank-Holborok, First Centeral Bank-Arapahoe, Golight Inc.- Culbertson, Anderson Livestock-Holbrook and Culligan Water-McCook.