Nevada Appeal File Photo Gorge Goodell, a banjo player for Carolina Special, lets his fingers do the talking at the 2005 Bluegrass on the Comstock held in Virginia City.
The third annual Bluegrass on the Comstock Festival will liven things up in Virginia City is Friday through Sunday.
For many, it's like a three-day, extended family reunion.
While the participants aren't related by blood, they do share a common bond, Bluegrass music.
"It's nice to see everyone again. When all these people show up, it's like a big family reunion," said Vicki Hass, member of the Back Forty Band. "To me, that's what Bluegrass is about."
The festival begins with a jam session at 7 p.m. Friday at the Depot. The scheduled entertainment runs noon-8 p.m. Saturday and from noon-5:30 p.m. Sunday at Miner's Park.
Ten bands, including Moonlight Hoodoo Revue of Reno and Northern California's Action Sound String Band, will take the stage over two days.
Several popular bands are returning from last year, including the Back Forty Band, Texas-based Digger Davis and Tombstone as well as the F-150s.
Friday features a song-writing contest and a band scramble.
Performers have one day to write music and lyrics to a new song, which will be judged the Saturday afternoon.
During the scramble, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, guitar and bass players put their names in a hat. One of each is drawn, and the newly formed band must come up with a name and play several songs for the crowd.
Hass said Bluegrass music and Virginia City are just a good fit for each other and the hope of the festival's organizers is to see it continue to become more popular.
"We started it to promote Bluegrass, and because of where Virginia City is and what it's about, Bluegrass really promotes that old-timey atmosphere," Hass said.
If you go
What: Bluegrass on the Comstock Festival
When: Jam session at 7 p.m. Friday, scheduled entertainment from noon-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-5:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Jam session at the Depot, entertainment at Miner's Park. Participants are encouraged to bring coolers and lawn chairs.
Price: $15 for a day-pass, $25 for both days.
information: Call 847-4386
On the Net
www.bluegrassonthecomstock.com