Staff writer
Local musicians and a beer garden will be among the attractions Saturday at Bluegrass at the Lake.
The Marion County Lake concert will feature Tallgrass Express String Band from 6 to 8 p.m. and Serenity String Band from 8 to 10 p.m.
Based out of Chase County, Tallgrass Express celebrates the beauty of the Flint Hills with folk, country, western, and bluegrass music.
Vocalist and guitarist Annie Wilson of Elmdale was named 2013 Flint Hills Balladeer by Gov. Sam Brownback.
Marion resident Jim Versch plays mandolin and banjo. Rural Goessel resident Kim “Smitty” Schmidt sings and plays fiddle, and Carl Reed of Manhattan plucks bass.
Serenity is an eclectic four-piece band based out of Abilene. Roots span from country, bluegrass, hard rock, and soft jazz.
An open stage competition precedes their concerts from 4 to 6 p.m. One act will receive $100 for best performance.
The beer garden will be open from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. west of the swimming area.
“People will be able to see musical acts from inside the beer garden,” VFW commander Warren Kreutziger said. “The money we earn will help veterans and our scholarship programs.”
Bud Light, Coors Light, Michelob Ultra, and two mystery beers will be served. Beer must be consumed within the fenced-off garden, Kreutziger said.