MANSFIELD — Three years after taking over the annual Mansfield Jamfest, organizer Chris Smith says the summer bluegrass music festival has grown so significantly it warranted another event.
Smith has planned a special sponsor and fan appreciation show, called Halfway to Mansfield Jamfest, for Saturday, April 13 at the Richland County Fairgrounds John Hartz building.
“I wanted to do this show to raise awareness for the summer show, celebrate sponsors and because a lot of blue grass fans have cabin fever and they’re itching to get out,” Smith said.
The Mansfield Jamfest typically draws more than 1,000 people from a several-state radius, some visitors even coming from as far as Colorado in recent years. Smith hopes to bring in at least a few hundred for the first-ever April show.
Halfway to Mansfield Jamfest will feature three of the 17 bands that are lined up for the Mansfield Jamfest. They are Caney Creek, Acoustic Edge and Ottawa County Band.
The show kicks off at 7 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Admission is $15 per person. Concessions will be available, and people are encouraged to bring their own beer with proper identification.
The Mansfield Jamfest is scheduled from Aug. 20 through 24 at the Richland County Fairgrounds with the purpose of raising money for the American Cancer Society.
The funds raised at the Halfway to Mansfield Jamfest will go towards putting on that event.
To learn more about the Mansfield Jamfest or the Halfway to Mansfield Jamfest events, visit www.mansfieldjamfest.com.
