Pickin’ and pork: Palouse will host fifth Bluegrass fest

Old mountain sounds will compete for air space with the sweet smell of barbecue pork at the fifth annual Palouse Bluegrass Festival in the city park Saturday.

Nine soloists and groups will perform throughout the day while two pigs roast on a barbecue just feet away. Antique and craft vendors will set up in the park and thirsty music fans can visit the beer garden, in its second year on the festival scene.

Last year’s event drew more than 700 people, according to Heidi Kite, festival organizer.

Buffalo Death Beam, a band of musicians from Pullman and Moscow are this year’s headliners. Kite said they put together a fantastic blend of bluegrass and folk stylings.

Music cranks up at high noon, with Brian Taylor. Deary’s Beargrass follows at 1 p.m., followed by Paul Smith of Palouse, Kentucky’s Tom Drake, Forgotten Freight, Moscow teen sensation Shiloh Sharrard, Spokane’s Wide River and Palouse favorite Tiana Gregg.

“They’re all really amazing musicians,” said Gregg. “They may not all be bluegrass, exactly, but we won’t tell Nashville.”

Palouse Community Center will serve barbecued pork sandwiches beginning around 3 p.m. Marie Dymkowski with the Palouse Community Center committee, said this year’s pigs have been donated by Duncan and Mary MacDonald of Turnbow Flat Farms.

Admission for the festival will be $5. All admission money goes to the performers. Cost for the barbecue will be $10 and includes pulled pork, coleslaw, Palouse baked beans, bread and drink. Proceeds from the barbecue and beer garden benefit the Palouse Community Center project.

Scott Beeson, president of the Community Center committee, told the Gazette last week they have contracted with Renstrom Homes of Garfield for construction of the building.

After four years of fund-raising, Beeson said, the center committee has put together almost $250,000, about half the amount they need for the full construction of the building.

The building will be located in the empty lot next to the Open Eye Consignment shop on Main Street. Center funds have also come from the annual Haunted Palouse, fund-raisers by the Palouse Lions Club and many other fund-raising events.